Carl Frampton believes Luis Alberto Lopez is the best featherweight in world boxing right now and could go on to become a Mexican legend like Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.
Lopez defended his IBF featherweight title in devastating fashion on Saturday night, stopping Michael Conlan in the fifth round of their clash at the SSE Arena.
The 29-year-old's unorthodox style and devastating power impressed former two-weight world champion Frampton, who watched on from ringside as part of BT Sport's commentary team.
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And after watching Lopez up close in Belfast, Frampton believes the Mexican is already on his way to becoming a star of world boxing.
Frampton said on his YouTube channel: "I was asked about the great Mexican featherweights and lighter weight guys leading up to Saturday's fight. Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales were two names mentioned.
"And I said this guy (Lopez) could maybe get to their level, but there is a long way to go. And I still stand by that.
"I think there is a long way to go. He is not at that level.
"He needs the right fighters and the right fighters to look good against, and he needs to go up the divisions as well to be classed at the level of Barrera and Morales, they are two greats after all.
"He is an incredible fighter, and in my opinion he is the number one featherweight on the planet. Somehow you have Brandon Figeuero as number one on BoxRec, a very good fighter but he is not as good as Lopez. Not a chance.
"Mauricio Lara, who lost to Leigh Wood, is in the rankings as well. I don't think either of those guys are better than Lopez. Josh Warrington is up there as well, and Ray Vargas.
"But in my mind this kid Lopez is the number one. So unorthodox who throws punches from strange angles. He is one of those fighters, who do you spar to prepare for this guy?
"He is so unique and flies in from angles. He carries his fists below his knees, bringing his height down to three foot and then jumping 10 feet across the ring to land an uppercut. How do you defend against that?
"He can punch hard, he can box, he can fight on the inside when he wants to, he can take a shot as well.
"Mick wouldn't be the biggest puncher in the world, but he certainly punches hard enough to get people's respect. Karim Guerfi, a former European champion who fought Mick in the previous fight, knew that after the first round stoppage.
"Mick hit Lopez pretty clean and they just had no impact. They bounced off this kid's head.
"And the sound of Lopez's shots sitting at ringside were incredible. A really good fighter, and for me the number one featherweight on the planet."
He added: "I really think this kid could be something very special and a fighter we talk about very fondly, like Barrera and Morales, in 10 or 20 years' time."
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