CONLAN AT A CROSSROADS

Second defeat in a world title fight has left Belfast man with plenty to ponder

- GRETH FULLERTON

MICHAEL CONLAN says Luis he "paid the price" for a slow start against Alberto Lopez after suffering world title heartache for a second time on Saturday night.

The 31-year-old's dreams of becoming IBF featherweight king were felled by champion Lopez who retained his crown with a devastating stoppage win at the SSE Arena.

Conlan was floored by a vicious uppercut in the fifth round, prompting the towel to be thrown in by his coach Adam Booth.

It was a devastating finish from Lopez who thrived under the Belfast lights in front of a partisan crowd of 10,000 fans.

It is the second time Conlan has lost out in a world title shot.

The previous time he was knocked out by Leigh Wood in the final round of their war in Nottingham.