WBO #5, WBA #6, IBF #12 featherweight Michael Conlan (12-0, 7 KOs) scored a ninth round TKO over Diego Alberto “El Profeta” Ruiz (21-3, 10 KOs) on Saturday night in front of 10,000 at Falls Park as part of Belfast’s annual Féile an Phobail summer festival.
One-sided fight. Conlan dropped Ruiz with a body shot and the bout was waved off after Ruiz took a few more body shots. Time was 1:34.
“I’m ready for a world title soon. This time next year, I want to have a world title around my waist,” said Conlan afterwards.
In a clash of world-rated middleweights, WBO #6, IBF #13 Luke Keeler (17-2-1, 5 KOs) scored a ten round decision over WBC #8 Luis Arias (18-2-1, 9 KOs). Arias was deducted a point for hitting on the break in round eight. Keeler scored a flash knockdown in round nine. Scored 96-91.
Welterweight Chris Jenkins (22-3-2, 8 KOs) escaped with a nine round technical decision against Paddy “Pat-Man” Gallagher (16-6, 10 KOs) in a bout for the British and Commonwealth titles. Jenkins won the early rounds. Gallagher dropped Jenkins in round six with a body shot and was dominating the bout when it was stopped due to a cut over Jenkins’ left eye. Jenkins was up 86-85 on all three cards.
Unbeaten super middleweight Padraig McCrory (9-0, 4 KOs) TKO’d Steve Collins Jr. (14-3-1, 4 KOs) in round eight. Quick stoppage.
Three-time Olympian flyweight Paddy Barnes (6-2, 1 KO) outpointed Joel Sanchez (4-7-1, 2 KOs) over six rounds, 60-55. Barnes stopped a two-fight losing streak.
Keeler looked like the stronger man and Arias lost steam on his punches after the 5th round. He also lost his form and was winging wide shots with very little behind them. It was a good win for Keeler, but Arias needs to be in better shape to go the distance. He just wasn’t competitive in the second half of the fight.
It was an unimpressive performance by Conlan who chased Ruiz all over the ring before stopping him with body shots. It was not his fault and was not a real test of his ability because Ruiz just didn’t want to engage and fight. He offered very little resistance and kept his hands high in a defensive posture almost the entire fight.
Conlan needs to be matched with tougher fighters who can force him to go to a higher gear. Ruiz just didn’t come to fight and once Conlan started landing body shots, it was all over.
I look forward to seeing Conlan again, but not against mediocre opposition.