May 27: Battle of the Broadcasts

On May 27 three World Title fights will take centre stage.

The only issue... each fight headlines three separate undercards from three separate promotors. Broadcast clashes are inevitable and, make no mistake, all three are incredible matchups! Here are International Boxing News’ pre-fight previews of May 27th’s ‘Battle of the Broadcasts’!

Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan – Conlan Boxing & Queensberry Promotions, Live on BT Sport

The first of two Featherweight World title clashes happening on May 27 is Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan.

The clash of Lopez’s unorthodox, puncher style and Conlan’s slick boxing ability can only create an excellent fight. Both have got to this fight the hard way. Lopez fought in the away corner to secure his mandatory position and then defeated Josh Warrington in the lion’s den. A win that will forever be overlooked because Warrington refuses to be given the credit he deserves.

Michael Conlan began his journey to World honours differently. The Olympic pedigree, signing a multi-multi fight deal with Top Rank, securing a mandatory position with the WBA with wins over Ionut Baluta and TJ Doheny. His first World title opportunity came against Leigh Wood in Nottingham, a night no boxing fan can forget. A KO loss after being beating their opponent over 11 rounds would have been fairly damaging for most fighters…

Not for Conlan. He recovered and bounced back with two very solid wins over Miguel Marriaga and, even more impressively, a first round KO win over Karim Guerfi.

A true 50/50 this.

Outside of this incredible main event my One to Watch for the undercard is Nick Ball.

One of the many rising stars of the Everton Red Triangle, Nick Ball has made a name for himself with explosive and clinical finishes in recent performances and is considered one of the most exciting prospects in British boxing.

Ball takes on former IBO Super-Featherweight World champion Ludumo Lamati. A significant step-up for Ball in a fight that will really show where he is on the World stage. A statement win should place Ball firmly in the Top 10 with each governing body. A huge year ahead for Nick Ball!

Co-promotor Jamie Conlan has revealed Conlan Boxing and Queensberry Promotions will begin the main event early to avoid a clash with the following two main events, which really does benefit the fans watching at home.

Mauricio Lara vs Leigh Wood 2 – Matchroom Boxing, Live on DAZN

A rematch that has divided opinion for many and is a necessity for others.

In February, Leigh Wood headlined in Nottingham in a VOLUNTARY defence of his WBA ‘Super’ Featherweight title against Mexican danger-man Mauricio Lara.

I capitalise ‘voluntary’ because everyone in boxing knew how much of a dangerous fight this would be, no one picks a fight with a hard-hitting, relentless Mexican like Lara. Leigh Wood did and for 6 rounds, it looked like there was a method to the Featherweight madness…

Wood was comfortably up on the scorecards but winning those rounds were far from comfortable. Lara was still landing and hurting Wood and, for some, the inevitable came in the 7th round. The left hook landed, sending Wood to the canvas… Sensing his man was to hurt to continue, Ben Davison pulled his man out of the fight.

Is the rematch as much of a 50/50 as the first fight? Probably not.

A lot of people still believe an inevitable Mauricio Lara left hook is coming. On the other hand, Leigh Wood will have a lot of confidence from his performance in the first fight. He will be perfectly aware to not be too overconfident with his performance and take unnecessary risks…

One thing is for certain, expect the same excitement from the first fight.

One to Watch

I think everyone is intrigued by the return of World title challenger Jack Catterall.

This fight with Darragh Foley is Catterall’s first since his controversial loss to Josh Taylor for Undisputed Super-Lightweight titles last February.

This is the perfect fight for Catterall. Foley is coming off a win, all be it by default due to Robbie Davies Jr’s ankle snapping in two. Foley will also see Catterall’s inactivity as a weakness, and he will call this out.

Foley will be the instigator in the press conferences, the lead up to the Davies Jr fight proved that. However, I think this is what Catterall will want. If he didn’t want to make a statement already, that will spur him on twice as much.

Matchroom signing WBC Super-Lightweight champion Regis Prograis and having advanced talks with IBF champion Subriel Matias will provide extra incentive for a dominant Catterall performance on Saturday.

Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith – Boxxer, Live on Sky Sports Boxing

The British Cruiserweight is dominated with world class talent and this fight between WBO champion Lawrence Okolie and Chris Billam-Smith is one of the most intriguing in the division.

Okolie, to many, didn’t look great in his last performance against mandatory challenger David Light but, and this is the most frustrating sentence a boxing journalist could possibly write, won every round in the third defence of his World title.

Chris Billam-Smith, on the other hand, has everything in his favour going into his first World title opportunity. A fight of the year with Isaac Chamberlain, a KO of the year against Armend Xhoxhaj and, most importantly, a fight with a former stablemate who he’s shared hundreds of rounds with.

This argument goes both ways, but Lawrence Okolie had his best performances under Shane McGuigan and to create a successful performance a trainer must increase a fighter's strengths to eradicate their weaknesses.

If there is one trainer I would trust to help exploit Okolie’s weaknesses, it would be Shane McGuigan.

One to Watch

Olympic Bronze Medallist Karriss Artingstall is my one to watch for the Okolie/Billam-Smith undercard.

Continuing her progression in the professional ranks well with solid points wins in her last three fights, Artingstall now steps up against Jade Taylor. Whilst Artingstall has more amateur experience, but Taylor has two more fights on her resume and has been the 10 round championship distance.

I am expecting Artingstall to continue her dominant points record on Saturday and then move on to a potential British title opportunity in her next fight.

It is important to see successful amateurs progress through tough but calculated matchmaking, one that Artingstall is following very well.