It was a night to remember for home boy, Michael Conlan, as he added the WBA Inter-Continental belt to his armory with a ninth-round stoppage win against Diego Alberto Ruiz.
A crowd of 10,000 in Falls Park were hopping as their hometown favourite moved onto a career record of 12-0. After Conlan's original opponent, Vladimir Nikitin pulled out due to injury, Ruiz stepped into the breach and he put in a decent showing in the early rounds before Conlan's class shone through.
Following victories earlier in the night for the likes of Sean McComb, Paddy Barnes and Padraig McCory, the home crowd were eagerly anticipating the arrival of the main event, and Conlan's entrance did not disappoint. The Falls came to a standstill as Grace rang out around the stadium.
Speaking after the fight, Conlan admitted to some nerves, saying "I didn't know what to expect. When I got on to that stage, I was like, 'I'm home'."
After a slow start, Conlan began to wear his opponent down. A strong right int the 8th round had Ruiz shaken and in the ninth, Conlan had him on his hunkers. Ruiz tried to regain his composure but Conlan made sure to finish the job.
The Conlan Revolution continues in Belfast! ☘️
Michael Conlan outclasses Diego Alberto Ruiz before claiming a stoppage victory in Round 9.#ConlanRuiz pic.twitter.com/W3Wdoh2oQV— Boxing on BT Sport 🥊 (@BTSportBoxing) August 3, 2019
