Olympian Michael Conlan (18-1-1, 9 KOs) is hoping that a deal gets finalized for a showdown with newly crowned IBF featherweight world champion Alberto Luis Lopez (27-2, 15 KOs).

Earlier this month in Leeds, Lopez picked up a twelve round decision win over Josh Warrington to capture the IBF crown.

On the same day in Belfast, Conlan demolished Karim Guerfi in one round.

Both Conlan and Lopez are promoted by Top Rank.

The Irish boxer is hoping to face Lopez, or another top opponent, in the month of March.

“The plan is to get out in a big, big fight in March, talks are ongoing at the minute,” Conlan told ID Boxing.

“[A fight with Lopez is] a very easy fight to make, one that I am very keen for. He actually tagged me in a post saying ‘I’m healing up stay ready’. I’m like ‘this is good news, you’re telling me we are fighting.’ I hope we do.

“Jaime is the man that does all the talking, he is the manager and he controls how things go. I know he has been talking with them a lot already and it seems very likely. Top Rank promotes both of us, so wherever they feel the fight should go it will go. I know we can do mad numbers on both sides of the Atlantic, it just depends. I’m sure that is part of the talks at the minute.”

“I know what I have to and I know the style that beats him. He is a fantastic champion and to go into the backyard of Josh Warrington in the cauldron that is Leeds and rip the title off him is a fantastic achievement. I’ve been watching Luis Alberto Lopez for the last while and seeing the upsets he has been pulling off and I do rate him.”