Conlan stops Ruiz in Falls Park bout

Belfast fighter Michael Conlan stopped Diego Alberto Ruiz in front of 10,000 fans at Falls Park on Saturday night.

Jonathan Porter/PressEye
Author: Damien EdgarPublished 4th Aug 2019

A number of heavy body shots left the Argentinian unable to defend himself in the ninth round, with the fight stopped as a result.

It was Ruiz's first fight outside Argentina, in front of a crowd desperate to see a victory for local boy Conlan at the FĆ©ile event.

He delivered that with ease, meaning he is now the WBO and WBA intercontinental featherweight champion.

Jonathan Porter/PressEye

It meant he was able to celebrate with thousands of fans close to where he grew up.

"It's very, very hard to put into words, I'm going to have to watch it back and feel it again," he said.

"It's the best night of my sporting career so far.

Jonathan Porter/PressEye

"I'll be honest, I was nervous, because I knew this would be different.

"Not may people experience those high pressure situations and it's sink or swim.

"I was raring to go from the start, but Adam kept having to tell me to slow down, even in the warm-up."

Jonathan Porter/PressEye

As for the fight itself, Conlan said it went to his camp's plan.

"I know I'm not the biggest puncher in the world, but I have the power to get respect.

"From the first jab, he had to respect me and I stung with it and he didn't want to commit too much.

Conlan's coaching team have now said they will look at top 20-level fighters around the world in order to decide his next opponent.