Luis Alberto Lopez is now officially a British killer.
The Mexican won the 126-pound IBF title by edging out Josh Warrington last December in Leeds. On Saturday, on his first defense, he stopped Michael Conlan with a single shot in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Conlan’s hometown.
The match at the SSE Arena was competitive for most innings lasting more than four innings, as both men were tit-for-tat in a match that quickly developed into a gunfight.
Lopez (28-2, 16 KOs) appeared to injure Conlan (18-2, 9 KOs) with a series of powerful blows midway through Round 3. The two-time Olympic champion survived the fierce attack. bouncing.
However, he couldn’t stand what happened in the 5th round.
The two were engaged in an exchange when Lopez caught Conlan with a devastatingly short right hand, sending Conlan lying on his back and prompting his coach Adam Booth to give up immediately.
The official time is 1:14 of Round 5.
Conlan lay on the tarp for several minutes before standing up to the worries of family members and hometown fans.
“I know he underestimated power,” Lopez said through an interpreter. “I am stronger than him, I am stronger. And I have great speed and footwork.”
Lopez is now in a position to challenge one of the other title holders: Leigh Wood (WBA), who won her title back by pointed out Mauricio Lara on Saturday; Rey Vargas (WBC) and Robeisy Ramirez (WBO).
Conlan has now been stopped in two of his last four fights. Wood sent him to throw the rope on the 12th and final round last March.
