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Gareth Fullerton

Conlan vs Lopez: Three world title fights on same night 'a disaster for boxing'

Steve Bunce says having three world title fights on the same night is an "absolute disaster" for boxing.

Belfast favourite Michael Conlan takes on Luis Alberto Lopez for the Mexican's IBF featherweight title at the SSE Arena.

On the same evening former Conlan foe Leigh Wood takes on Mauricio Lara in their eagerly anticipated rematch in Manchester.

Read more: Jamie Conlan makes 'historic' prediction for brother's world title fight

And in Bournemouth, Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith clash for Okolie's WBO cruiserweight belt at the Vitality Stadium.

It is a bumper night of fight action for boxing fans across the world, but BBC presenter Bunce says it is "the worst thing that can happen in this sport".

He said in his BBC column: "To have them on one Saturday is quite ridiculous. What's really amazing, if you have a look at the boxing diary in the UK, the following weekends: 3 June, empty; 17 June, empty; 24 June, empty.

"All six of the men in the three world fights have all been on 5 Live in the past 12 months. These are all big fights.

"We use words like unique in boxing, overused. We talk about rare, overused. We talk about incredible nights, overused. But surely this night ticks all these boxes. It's never happened before and I hope it never happens again."

Bunce shared the example of Carl Frampton vs Josh Warrington in Manchester on December 22, 2018, which clashed with Derek Chisora's fight with Dillian Whyte in London.

"Both pay-per-view fights, both on the Saturday before Christmas, 22 December. That was a disaster," he said.

He added: "For fans, it's terrible. There are hardcore fans that would have gone to each of those fights if they were on separate nights. I'm sure all these events can be sold out, but you're losing fans at the door no doubt.

"Then you've got the fans watching at home. We've all seen the stuff on Twitter when there's a clash.

"Fans will be watching one fight on their laptop and another on the TV. On Saturday night you'll need to get your phone out too. That's just not realistic, is it?

"The last thing I want is for this to be lauded as a great night for fans watching on laptops and phones and TV."

Conlan vs Lopez is now expected to start just after 9pm, to avoid a clash with the other two world title bouts which are expected to start after 10pm.

"Usually, in fights like these, a star emerges. A proper star. None of the fighters involved on Saturday can claim to have the profile of an Anthony Joshua or a Katie Taylor," Bunce said.

"But imagine if Billam-Smith survives an incredible war and stops Okolie late, but it gets lost because Conlan has been too smart for Lopez or once again Wood has fallen short?

"In a normal weekend, a big world title win elevates the fighter, dominates the headlines.

"But now, no matter who wins, they will not get the full credit they deserve because of the mad cluster schedule."

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