Michael Conlan faces Luis Alberto Lopez in Belfast tonight hoping to become a world champion for the first time.
Conlan will be roared on by an adoring home crowd amid what is sure to be a fantastic atmosphere at the SSE Arena, scene of so many famous boxing nights including those involving Carl Frampton.
Now it’s Conlan’s turn to bring title success to Northern Ireland, with the 2021 Olympic silver medalist chomping at the bit to fully recover from his brutal last-gasp knockout defeat by Leigh Wood in a Nottingham thriller 14 months ago.
He had been winning on the cards that night, only to be blasted through the ropes in the final round as his bid for the WBA featherweight title was ended in emphatic fashion.
But Conlan has since bounced back with successive wins, desperate to take a second chance as he challenges Lopez on home soil.
The Mexican is in his first reign as a world champion, having narrowly outpointed Josh Warrington in an upset in Leeds back in December. ‘The Road Warrior’ knows all about what it takes to win amid a hostile atmosphere as the ‘away’ fighter.
How to watch Lopez vs Conlan
TV channel: Tonight’s card is being broadcast live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate in the UK, with coverage beginning at 6:30pm BST. Ring walks for the main event are expected at approximately 9pm to avoid a clash with Mauricio Lara-Leigh Wood 2 and Lawrence Okolie-Chris Billam-Smith, both happening on the same night.
