IRELAND’S MICHAEL CONLAN will seek to finish his first year as a professional boxer with no shortage of style when he returns to the scene of his debut in the paid ranks, The Theater at New York’s Madison Square Garden, for his fifth outing.
As first confirmed by The42, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and 2015 world amateur champion will feature on the undercard of 9 December’s feverishly anticipated showdown between two all-time amateur greats in Vasyl Lomachenko and Guillermo Rigondeaux, which will be the first ever professional fight between two double Olympic champions.
Conlan, whose four fights as a pro have all resulted in stoppage wins, including last month’s spectacular destruction of previously unbeaten part-timer Kenny Guzman, will face teak-tough Argentinian Luis Fernando Molina [7(2KOs)-3-1] in MSG’s 5,000-capacity ‘basement’, and will once more feature on ESPN in the States as well as BoxNation in Ireland and the UK.
29-year-old Molina, whose nickname is ‘El Tití’ (‘The Titan’, before you laugh), has never been stopped in 11 professional fights, with two of his seven wins coming by way of knockout.
Conlan is four years the Buenos Aires native’s junior, and will aim to finish the year with a perfect 5-0 record as well as a 100% knockout ratio.
As for the new year, a trip to Boston might beckon in the early spring, but Conlan recently confirmed to The42 that he will “definitely” fight in Belfast in either May or June of next year, with Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum previously telling us that he intends for Conlan to headline his homecoming bill live on ‘The Worldwide Leader’, ESPN.
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Something about positive from the FAI for a change.
He has been absolutely brilliant since arriving at the club. We are much improved defensively because of him alone. Turned down the chance to manage Fleetwood a month ago to learn under Tuchel. Hopefully, he has a similar impact for Ireland.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: who’s we?
@Tosh Moher: Ah you’re one of those fans. I say “we” as in Chelsea. Or am I not allowed to say that? I watch every game, I get to say “we”. I hope that’s ok with you Tosh.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: transformed our set pieces. Duffy will thrive
@Hugh: if only he could defend
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: a Flaming sword likes football….they’ll be raging on ailesbury road
@Danger: rugby, football, golf, GAA, you name it, I’ll watch it
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: darts, horse racing….
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: of course your allowed say that Noel, I just find it a contradiction that you as a Republic of lrl supporter would be also be a supporter of Chelsea FC a club and supporters that have a history of racism, and an owner of dubious wealth, and also a club with strong links to the British Army, not a “we” many Irish people would want to be.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: that is grand and all but I have met few English supporters of their native home town football clubs like Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal in Australia over 18 yrs and they all seem to have a less then favourable opinion of Irish people supporting their club, spending their hard earned cash on supporting their local club in Manchester, Leeds or London etc. Irish support for their club is about as relevant as a supporter from Hong Kong. I was actually quite surprised tbh.
@Patrick Lawlor: Why were you surprised? We’re not British, we have our own league. Irish fans filling out the Aviva for Liverpool v League of Ireland XI is no different to Hong Kongers filling out Hong Kong stadium for Liverpool v Kitchee FC. I think a lot of Irish fans like to think it is different for them. They deserve some special status as supporters of English football clubs. ‘Real fans’ etc etc For whatever reason, a lot of PL fans hate the idea of football tourists. It is okay for them to have a squad packed full of players from all over the world, but international fans are not welcome. Morons. Irish fans might as well be tourists too. But, as I said, they like to think they deserve some special status with English clubs.
An appointment based on merit and not a jobs-for-the-boys scheme. It’s a start.
Now that’s a good appointment. A glimmer of hope.
Great appointment..under the radar.. no leaks..hopefully like our defense..
Kenny has really freshened things up with Barry and Dean Kiely on board. Hopefully the way forward, need to improve quickly after a dreadful start. Good luck to them all.
Great news..under the radar appointment..
Boys we’re winning the World Cup
Hopefully will start the end of a parochial finish to International Irish football, go Stephen Kenny,
Did anyone get the date for the stoning of JD.. these bag of boulders I have are raring to flung… nothing like a good Saturday morning stoning, Stephen’s green would suffice as the venue, John only loved hanging around the green.
No chance they could have given Robbie Keane a gig. Considering he is being paid still anyway!