Luis Alberto Lopez believes he proved himself as a "true champion" with Saturday night's stunning victory over Michael Conlan.
Lopez retained his IBF featherweight title with a devastating stoppage win at the SSE Arena.
The Mexican showcased his power to fell Conlan in the fifth round, and puncture what had been a raucous atmosphere inside the sold-out Belfast venue.
Read more: Conlan vs Lopez as it happened at the SSE Arena
The vicious punch left Conlan sprawled out on the canvas, with his coach Adam Booth throwing in the towel to end the contest.
It was a clinical finish from Lopez, the champion who won his belt in Josh Warrington's back yard, and has now defended it in Conlan's home city.
If there were any doubts over the Mexican's credentials, he has now answered them in spades with his last two wins.
He said afterwards: "I think Michael Conlan underestimated my power. I am stronger than him and more powerful than him. He has speed and great footwork.
"I did a great training camp, I was a little nervous but I got the win and am very happy about that.
"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."
Lopez thrived under the lights and heated atmosphere, one which fell to a deathly silence when the fight ended.
The bout was entertaining while it lasted, with Lopez landing some big, unorthodox shots from different angles, while Conlan tried to establish his jab and target the body.
There were some warning signs in the opening two rounds, and a rasping uppercut in the third saw Conlan's legs dip, forcing the home hero back onto the ropes.
He did well to survive the round, and came back with some decent shots of his own in the fourth.
The bout was starting to develop into a shootout, just what Lopez would have been wanting, and there was only going to be one winner.
And in the fifth the defending champion delivered the final blow to retain his title in style.
It was another crushing defeat for Conlan, some 14 months on from his loss to Leigh Wood in Nottingham.
But while that was 2022's Fight of the Year, this was a one-sided contest that the champion dominated.
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