May 27 is the date for a potential showdown with reigning IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez at the SSE Arena. It was initially hoped that the pair ...
"So we are blowing in the right direction and it is exciting. "The good thing about working with Michael is he lets you get on with things without getting involved. "Michael always looks after the controllables. "It is just about small things that need to be ironed out. "It is a tough fight but one I am very confident Michael will win. May 27 has been floated around as the date we are targeting.
The winner will be expected to face the winner of Kiko Martinez vs Reiya Abe.
This will be a voluntary defense, as his first mandatory will be determined by Kiko Martinez vs Reiya Abe in April. While it’s a quick return to the world stage on paper, “Mick” is 31 and at the peak of his powers, so you can’t really blame him for wanting to dive back in. [ultimately surviving a gnarly headbutt and a late rally to lift the belt in Leeds](https://www.badlefthook.com/2022/12/10/23503301/warrington-vs-lopez-full-fight-video-highlights-results-majority-decision-dazn-boxing-news-2022).
By Craig Daly: Michael Conlan will be challenging IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez on May 27th at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Ireland.
Lopez doesn’t seem to like pressure, and he acts helpless when roughed up, constantly looking at the referee for assistance rather than toughing it out or returning the favor. Conlan had a busy year in 2022, fighting three times and doing an excellent job of returning from his defeat against Wood in Nottingham. For Lopez to be going on the road again, but this time as the champion, it’s a little disappointing. Lopez’s losses have come against Ruben Villa and Abraham Montoya. There was a lot of head-butting and rabbit punching from Warrington. What’s interesting about this fight is the IBF champion Luis Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs) will be going on the road again despite being the champ in this match to battle the 31-year-old Irish native Conlan on his home turf in Belfast.