Carl Frampton has described Michael Conlan as "probably the most skilled fighter Ireland has ever seen" but says the 31-year-old faces a "difficult" road back after his loss to Luis Alberto Lopez.
Conlan suffered world title heartache for a second time on Saturday night as his bid to become IBF featherweight champion was derailed by Lopez in Belfast.
The Mexican defended his crown with a stunning fifth-round knockout win at the SSE Arena, following a dominant display over the hometown hero.
READ MORE: Luis Alberto Lopez shows class backstage after Michael Conlan knockout
Frampton was at ringside for the fight as part of BT Sport's punditry team, and was quick to hail the class of Lopez, reports Belfast Live.
But while bigger unification fights lie in wait for the champion, question marks now hang over the future of Conlan, who says he will take some time away with his family before deciding on the next step.
Former two-weight world champion Frampton believes Conlan can bounce back from his latest defeat, but says the road to redemption could be a long and protracted one.
"It is a difficult one. Mick is probably the most skilled fighter Ireland has ever seen, and I mean that," Frampton said on his YouTube channel.
"It will be no consolation to him. He will be disappointed he lost the fight.
"And he has lost two world title fights now. He was very unlucky to lose to Leigh Wood right at the death.
"But on Saturday night he was taken apart. It is probably one of the best five-round fights I have ever seen.
"The action in it was incredible, the atmosphere was incredible. Mick trying to dig in and fight back, and showing a lot of bravery, but Lopez was just a bully and bossed the fight.
"I think this kid (Lopez) is an animal. Genuinely.
"But it was really good to watch it up close and see how good this kid is.
"Mick isn't getting any younger now, and I think one of the issues going forward with Mick is that he is a difficult fight for people, but he has lost two world title fights.
"So a champion may look at Mick Conlan and think 'why do I need to take that fight?'. He doesn't bring much to the table because of those defeats, and it is a hard, hard fight.
"So it is going to be difficult for Mick and he will need the backing of Top Rank and he will need his brother Jamie to pull a few strings and maybe get a couple of wins before he gets back in line to fight for a world title.
"I think he may have to get into a mandatory position, because he is the most skilled fighter in Ireland, I think. Who wants to fight him if it will be a difficult fight?
"So it is a difficult one for Mick and I am disappointed for him. His family will be disappointed, and so will a lot of Belfast.
"What I will say, and again no consolation, there have been much lesser world champions than Mick Conlan. And I do think he can come back, but it won't be easy.
"But Lopez is an absolute bull. Absolute animal.
"And I think we will hear his name talked about with the greats for years to come. Excellent, excellent fighter."
Meanwhile, Frampton hailed Saturday night's atmosphere at the SSE Arena as "spine-tingling".
Around 10,000 fans packed into the indoor Belfast venue to create a wall of noise when the two fighters entered the ring.
"The atmosphere was incredible. I mean spine-tingling," Frampton said.
"I have always wanted to be at a fight at the SSE, kind of behind the scenes and not involved in a fight myself. And just soak up the atmosphere.
"And I got the chance to do that on Saturday night when Mick fought Lopez.
"Incredible, incredible atmosphere. Which is to be expected, obviously."
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