Michael Conlan has taken to social media after his crushing defeat to Luis Alberto Lopez last night in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
It was Conlan’s second crack at a world title, the first coming unsuccessfully against Leigh Wood in Nottingham last year. Conlan was this time brutally knocked out from a shot throat in the 5th round in front of a raucous Belfast crowd as the SSE Arena.
Before he even hit the canvass trainer Adam Booth threw in the towel. It was a tough night for the Irishman from the start. Round 3 saw Conlan in serious trouble as he legs buckled from one Lopez’s many big shots. Conlan remarkably recovered to finish the round competitively and followed up with a decent showing in the 4th. However, it all came crumbling down in the 5th.
The statement read:
“I’m good folks. Wasn’t at the races tonight, couldn’t seem to get going and paid the price for it. Congratulations to @venado.lopezoficial [Lopez social media account] on a great performance. I wish you all the best in the future champion. Thank you for the opportunity.
“Thanks to everyone who reached out and wished me luck. I can’t get back to you all but I appreciate it! I’m gonna take some time away from social media now to enjoy my family and decide what the next steps for me are. Again thank you Belfast for an amazing atmosphere and turn out tonight! Love MC X.”
Conlan (18-2, 9 KOs) has rebuilt in his native Belfast after his first career defeat to Leigh Wood with wins over Miguel Marriaga and Karim Guerfi. He now has a 100 percent knockout deficit in two world title fights. Lopez becomes the inform man at 126 pounds after a successful first defense of his IBF featherweight world title.
