Wayne McCullough believes Michael Conlan's boxing skills can earn him an 'easy' World title win on Saturday night, but accepts the Belfast challenger's loose style guarantees there will be plenty of jeopardy until the final bell.
Conlan takes on Luis Alberto Lopez for the Mexican's IBF featherweight title at the SSE Arena.
It will be the 31-year-old's second attempt at world honours, after losing out to Leigh Wood in 2022's Fight of the Year.
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Conlan was seconds away from victory that night in Nottingham, but was knocked unconscious through the ropes in the final round as Wood defended his belt in stunning fashion.
Former WBC bantamweight champion McCullough can't see Conlan changing his style for the visit of Lopez to Belfast.
"I like Michael's skill, but sometimes a lack of defence makes things interesting," McCullough said from his Las Vegas home.
"He fights a lot in the southpaw stance. He got hit with a right hand against Wood, and southpaws are susceptible to getting hit by the right hand.
"There is that element of jeopardy with his style. But I think Conlan can win this fight if he is smart.
"He is going to get hit. You don't go through a whole fight without getting hit.
"Lopez isn't a big puncher but he throws some unorthodox punches. You might be expecting a jab and then it turns into a long left hook and he cracks you.
"If I was Conlan's trainer I would use the jab and keep the right hand over the chin.
"When Conlan jabs he sometimes leaves his chin up in the air, and leaves it open to the left hook and right hand over the top. But if he uses his jab and keeps the chin protected then I think he can win the fight easily, I really do."
McCullough added: "If Michael is smart he can work the jab and just box. He is World amateur champion, so box and keep your hands up. If he does that he wins the fight easily, but he will be hit.
"No matter who you are you will get hit, so your chin cannot be in the air. And Michael's chin usually isn't tucked in.
"He has to fight smart against Lopez and stick to the basics. Jab and move, keep your hands up and block Lopez's shots.
"The Mexican will want a dust-up, and he will be jumping in from different angles."
Lopez cut a relaxed figure at Wednesday's public workout in Belfast.
He has gone into enemy territory before, silencing a raucous First Direct Arena in Leeds to win the IBF title from home favourite Josh Warrington last December
"Lopez has travelled quite a bit. He has fought in other people's backyards before and won," McCullough said.
"He is Mexican and Belfast will be a hostile environment. But Leeds would have been hostile and he coped with that.
"Lopez has two losses, both on points. One of his losses was a split decision on the road.
"He can go the distance and he can crack, even though he is not a big puncher. And he beat Isaac Lowe at York Hall.
"So he will hold no fear going to Belfast."
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