Featherweight prospect Michael Conlan, one of Irish boxing’s most popular and promising fighters, will be looking to captivate an adoring crowd in Belfast this evening as he makes his his first appearance on home soil since 2010.
Conlan is expected to receive a characteristically raucous welcome when he makes his much anticipated homecoming at the SSE Arena in Belfast against Brazillian opponent Adeilson Dos Santos.
Like many of his Ulster-born counterparts – including Paddy Barnes, Carl Frampton and Ryan Burnett – Conlan proudly represented the Ireland in a stellar amateur career where he collected a heap of accolades before being eliminated from the 2016 Olympics in highly controversial fashion.
This cruel, painful setback only hardened his resolve to achieve professional success; and consequently he signed with promotional giants Top Rank in 2017.
Headlining at Madison Square Garden in a successful debut on Saint Patrick’s Day, Conlan stopped Tim Ibarra in three rounds after being accompanied to the ring by MMA superstar Conor McGregor; something which testifies to his immense appeal and drawing power throughout Ireland and the United States, and something which legendary promoter Bob Arum certainly recognises.
Having accrued a record of 7-0, Conlan is eager to add more wrinkles to his game and accelerate his professional development as he makes the transition from prospect to contender, recently switching trainers from the respected Manny Robles to Adam Booth.
Although a relative professional novice, Conlan has already amassed invaluable experience in routinely sparring with WBO featherweight champion Oscar Valdez in the excruciating Californian heat, and has since joined another talented stable comprising Sunderland’s light-welterweight prodigy Josh Kelly and WBA bantamweight champion Ryan Burnett, among others.
There are a plethora of intriguing fights on the undercard as Chorley’s southpaw contender Jack Catterall faces local boy Tyrone McKenna, a highly anticipated rematch takes place between Jono Caroll and Declan Geraughty, and former World title challenger Gary Corcoran makes his comeback after being stopped in eleven rounds by Jeff Horn.
The stacked card, however, is headlined by the return of Irish boxing’s great hope in Conlan; someone who many believe is destined for World championship glory.
Article by: Navi Singh
You can follow Navi on Twitter at: @hombre__obscuro