Luis Alberto Lopez versus Michael Conlon May 27

Can champion Lopez keep Irish eyes from smiling?

Luis Alberto “El Venado” Lopez, one of boxing’s most exciting warriors, will once again be playing a road game when he makes the 1st defense of his IBF featherweight world title against Michael “Mick” Conlan. The two will square off on Saturday, May 27, at The SSE Arena, in Conlan’s Belfast backyard.

Lopez will be defending the title he won last December, beating Josh Warrington over 12 in Leeds, England, which was smack dab in the middle of Warrington country.

Lopez (27-2, 15 KO’s), from Mexicali, Mexico, is a fighter that doesn’t do everything right...except win. He has a somewhat awkward style, he loads up on wild shots, he isn’t particularly slick and his defense can be penetrated in a fight. He was supposed to be a fighter that was a tough, last test before a title fight for the more naturally gifted set that generally has trying, but victorious, nights against the Luis Lopez’s of boxing. 

Well, someone didn’t tell Lopez because he is beating everyone put in front of him and now has a world title belt around his waist.

What Lopez does possess is an iron will, power, and a relentless attack that has seen him continue to knock off one opponent after another; opponents that were often assumed to be the favorite going in.   

Lopez raised a few eyebrows in July 2020 when he scored a split decision victory over prospect Andy Vences in Las Vegas.

Next, he crowned then-unbeaten junior lightweight prospect, “Stockton’s King” Gabriel Flores Jr. over 10 rounds. Lopez then dropped back to 126 pounds to beat undefeated Isaac Lowe in London. Then, in his last fight, his first world title shot, he defeated long-reigning champion Josh Warrington in his hometown. 

Now, when he squares off against massively popular Irish star Mick Conlon (18-1, 9 KO’s), in Belfast, it will mark Lopez’s 6th straight away game. But, in a recent interview, the hard-hitting Mexican was completely unfazed by the prospect of another fight on his opponent’s home turf. 

“I am a road warrior. Traveling to my opponent’s home country doesn’t faze me,” Lopez said. “I won my world title in Leeds, and now it’s time to defend it in Belfast”, he said. 

Conlan, (18-1, 9 KO’s), a 6-year pro who is very popular in Ireland, is looking to capture his 1st world title after coming up short in his only title try against Leigh Wood last March. Conlon, in Lopez-esque fashion, traveled to Nottingham, England to take a crack at Woods’ title but was stopped in the 12th round in a disappointing loss in a fight he was ahead on the cards. Conlon is an exciting fighter, who has nuts and guts to spare and will give everything he has on fight night.

Irish boxing fans will spur him on, perhaps the sport’s best live crowds. He will give every ounce of himself to award his Irish faithful with a world title. But, will it be enough? Not according to Lopez, who has proven to thrive in enemy territory. 

“The louder they cheer for Michael, the harder I will fight”, said Lopez. “The IBF title will remain in Mexico. May 27 will be a special night for me, and Michael’s fans will go home disappointed. I will knock Michael Conlon out”.