Well, it didn't quite go to script at the SSE Arena with Luis Alberto Lopez stunning the home crowd with a knockout win over Michael Conlan in the fifth round.

The Mexican retained his IBF world featherweight title after a display of powerful punching that just blew his 31-year-old opponent away.

Conlan did not go down easily and was doing his best to stay in the fight but what he hoped would be a crowning night in his home city ended in despair.

Read Andy Gray's fight report here.

Thanks for joining us.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Bunce on BT Sport:

"I saw Lopez at ringside, I've seen him up close and tonight he was a transformed fighter. I thought he was brilliant at times. What might have looked like crude shots against Josh Warrington, seeing him up close you can see that every single thing he did was meant and planned. It doesn't matter how ungainly or unorthodox it was. The final short right upper-cut was class. At least two of those rounds tonight would be in my 'rounds of the year'."

Image source, Getty Images

Carl Frampton on BT Sport:

"I said after round one that it was going to be a long night for Mick and he looked like he had gone 10 rounds after the second round. Lopez is a world champion but he may not even be the best featherweight in Mexico, and it shows you the conveyor belt of fighters from that country. I gave Mick one round in that fight. Mick is a more awkward fighter than Josh Warrington but this kid [Lopez] made it look easy at times.

Luis Alberto Lopez on BT Sport:

"I did a great training camp, I was a little nervous but I got the win and am very happy about that. I think Michael Conlan underestimated my power. I am stronger than him and more powerful than him. He has speed and great footwork. I wanted to come to Belfast so I could prove to myself that I am a true champion. I had an issue when I was injured when I was champion in 2019 and I really, really wanted to make a statement today, being a world champion with my first defence."

Conlan sportingly applauds and shakes the hand of Lopez as he is officially announced as the winner and still the IBF world featherweight champion.

Michael Conlan was digging deep and responding as best he could to an unbelievable display of punching power from his opponent, but it was just too much in the end.

Conlan has recovered after getting medical assistance but looks distraught at the defeat.

Not what he or the Belfast crowd came for tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

Conlan's corner hurls the towel in as the Belfast fighter goes down.

It's all over and Lopez has stunned the home crowd with a fifth-round win.

The fight was 70 seconds into the fifth round when a series of massive punches from the big-hitting Mexican were just too much for the 31-year-old.

It was a left hook and right upper-cut that put Conlan down and ended the fight.

Conlan had to work really hard again in that round as Lopez caught him with a strong right and left to the head early on. The Belfast fighter again showed character and his superior movement helped get him through. He did stumble to the floor at one point but it was not a knock-out.

A tight round but Lopez on top.

Wow. That was a massive round for Lopez.

He landed a big right uppercut and left hook on Conlan and followed up with a barrage of huge punches. It looked for a second like Conlan was rocking but in fairness to him he dug deep and responded.

What has that taken out of him, though?

Round two was a cracker.

What a massive right that was from Conlan. Lopez definitely felt that and probably didn't expect it either.

He recovered with a few punches of his own but misses with a few before landing a big left hand. It was Conlan's turn to respond and he did.

Has all the hallmarks of a memorable fight already.

Conaln is keeping Lopez at distance as both men deliver a few big punches each. The home fighter is moving well and isn't getting ruffled as Lopez looks to work the body.

A few good combinations from Lopez are followed by a good right hand from Conlan as a fascinating opening round comes to an end. Both men had their moments with very little in it.

This fight is well and truly underway as The Fields of Athenry rings out in the crowd.

Lopez is known for making a fast start in fights, but Conlan is throwing a few punches of his own early own as he keeps his opponent at bay.

English referee Michael Alexander gets the fight underway.

Who will be the IBF world featherweight champion come the end?

Michael Conlan gets his formal introduction in the ring.

Then Luis Alberto Lopez gets his and a few boos ring out around the SSE Arena.

Pantomime stuff isn't it? Oh yes it is.

Luis Alberto Lopez makes his way to the ring.

Nearly show time.

Michael Conlan climbs into the ring and the Belfast crowd goes nuts, to use a local expression.

Darkness descends on the SSE Arena as Michael Conlan gets ready to make his walk to the ring.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at the SSE Arena

That. Noise.

Wow.

Michael Conlan is making his way from his changing room.

Ring walk incoming.