By Ken Hissner: At The SSE Arena (Odyssey Arena), Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, Saturday over ESPN+ Bob Arum (Top Rank), Jamie Conlan (Conlan Boxing), and Frank Warren (Queensberry Promotions) presented in the Main Event IBF World Featherweight champion Luis “El Venado” Lopez stopped former WBA Interim World Feather champ Michael “Mick” Conlan in five rounds.
In the Main Event, IBF World Feather champ Luis “El Venado” Lopez, 28-2 (16), #125.5, of Mexicali, Baja California, MEX, stopped out former WBA Interim Feather champ Michael “Mick” Conlan, 18-2 (9), #125.9, of Belfast, No. Ireland, UK, at 1:14 of the fifth round of a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the first two rounds, Conlan did well with his jab taking the close rounds. In the third and fourth rounds, Lopez the hard puncher, had Conlan on the defense for most of the rounds, who was looking exhausted. In the fifth round, a right uppercut from Lopez on the chin and down went Conlan as the towel came in. The fight was over. The referee was Michael Alexander.
WBC Silver Feather champ Nick Ball, 18-0 (11), #125.9, of Liverpool, UK, stopped Ludumo “9mm” Lamati, 21-1-1 (11), #125.5, of Johannesburg, Gauteng, RSA, at ? of the twelfth and final round.
In the first round, the shorter by 4” Ball was the aggressor as Lamati used a good jab. In the fourth round Ball was warned twice for rough tactics but took another round. In the fifth round, Ball kept Lamati on the defense, roughing him up to the ropes quite a bit. In the seventh round, Ball kept up the pressure taking another round.
In the tenth, a left hook from Ball landed on the head of Lamati, almost knocking him off balance. In the eleventh round, Ball tossed Lamati to the canvas. In the twelfth and final round, Ball landed a flurry of punches and had Lamati hurt when the towel was thrown in from Lamati’s corner.
IBO World Super Feather champ Anthony ‘The Apache’ Cacace, 21-1 (7), #129.9, of Belfast, No. Ireland, UK, defeated IBO Continental champ Damian “Wrzos the Machine” Wrzesinski, 26-3-2 (7), #129.4, of Poznan, POL, over 12 rounds.
In the first round final minute Cacace landed several rights to the chin of Wrzesinski on several occasions. In the second through the fifth Cacace switched from orthodox to southpaw out-landing Wrzesinski.
In the seventh round, Cacace landed a solid right on the chin, getting the attention of Wrzesinski. In the eighth round, it was Wrzesinski coming back well enough to take the round. In the eleventh round, Cacace cut the left eyelid of Wrzesinski in the final minute.
In the twelfth and final round, Wrzesinski knowing he was behind, came out strong enough to take the round as Cacace kept moving, knowing to go the distance and take the win. Cacace later said he hurt his right hand earlier in the fight.
Scores were 118-111, 117-111 and 116-12, and 117-111 KH
The referee was Michael Alexander.
WBC Int’l Super Light champ Pierce ‘Big Bang’ O’Leary, 12-0 (7), #139.3, of Dublin, IRE, stopped Alin “El Nino” Florin Cioceri, 17-4 (7), #140.0, of Bistrita, ROM, at 1:11 of the first round of a scheduled 10 rounds.
In the first round, O’Leary landed a left hook to the chin, and down went Cioceri for an 8-count from Referee Victor Loughlin. Upon rising O’Leary was all over him hurting him with a right uppercut and left on the chin having him out on his feet when Referee Loughlin stopped it.
