Belfast boxer Michael Conlan is poised for a move to the United States after signing up to legendary promoter Bob Arum’s Top Rank organisation.
Conlan, who turned professional after his ultra-controversial loss to Vladimir Nikitin at Rio 2016, has already been pencilled in to make his debut on a St Patrick’s Day card at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.
The 24-year-old has just returned from Las Vegas and told listeners on RTÉ 2fm’s Game On: “It was a very successful trip and a nice wee holiday.”
Conlan insisted that many of the game’s biggest promoters were clamouring for his signature.
“All the top promoters were at my door,” he said.
“Frank Warren, Richard Schaefer and Al Haymon, Golden Boy and then Lou DiBella.
“Eddie Hearn didn’t come round, but he only likes to wait on fighters to come to him so he has the upper hand.
“I’m not one of them guys who go and like to lick arse.”
The bantamweight, who is poised to fight at super-bantamweight in the paid ranks, had no reservations in signing with Top Rank, saying: “I’m with the best stable in boxing in Top Rank.
“They bring in amateurs and turn them into world champions.
“I’m happy to be with the team.”
It's done! #TopRank #TRBoxing pic.twitter.com/r3SDD2f384
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) September 19, 2016
Conlan met with Arum on his American trip, and while some may have been taken aback by the expletive-laden tirade he directed at the International Boxing Association after his Rio loss, the octogenarian promoter wasn’t one of them.
“I couldn’t believe he actually knew so much about me,” Conlan admitted.
“He is getting on in age, but his memory is second to none.
“The first thing he said was ‘I would have done the exact same thing that you did’.”
Manager Matthew Macklin will accompany Conlan to the US in November before his family join him in California, where The Rock gym in Carson will be his new training centre.
Conlan’s compatriot Jason Quigley currently fights out of The Rock, under the guidance of Manny Robles.
“I want to train with Jason’s trainer, Manny Robles,” Conlan said.
“There are some great fighters in that gym already around my weight division, like Oscar Valdez and Jessie Magdaleno - guys who are fighting for world titles or else are world champions.”
Conlan already has one eye on American Shakur Stevenson, who won silver in the bantamweight division in Rio.
Stevenson and the Belfast pugilist had been on a collision course and were set to meet in the semi-finals at the Olympics, but for the controversial loss Conlan suffered to Nikitin.
“It’s fantastic because it’s going to be billed as the fight that was meant to happen, which never happened,” Conlan said.
“I’ve got a rival right away.
“He’s a nice kid, he’s a young kid, but I’d be confident of beating him any day.”
