Michael Conlan joins Top Rank

Belfast boxer Michael Conlan joins Top Rank for professional career

Belfast boxer Michael Conlan has entered the professional ranks after announcing that he has joined American based promoter Top Rank Boxing.

The Irish bantamweight revealed the move on Monday night, the news coming on the same day that Paddy Barnes said he would be turning pro with MGM.

Top Rank is run by US promoter Bob Arum and has world champion Manny Pacquiao and Jessie Vargas on its books.

Conlan is a world amateur champion and won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics.

He made clear his intention to leave the amateur ranks after suffering a controversial defeat by Russian Vladimir Nikitin in the Olympic quarter-finals in Rio last month.

Conlan looked to have won the bout but lost out on a unanimous points decision.

"This is the best deal I could ever have asked for. It's massive and I'm very proud to be handed the biggest contract ever for an Irish boxer turning professional," Conlan told BBC Radio Ulster.

"It's very likely that my professional debut will be at Madison Square Garden on St Patrick's Day next year and that would be a dream come true.

"I'm giving myself three years maximum to be a world champion but my promoters have the best matchmakers in the business and I will let them run the show."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/37414273

Sounds like he's made a good move. Him and Barnes going down the U.S. Route is interesting. They'll definitely tap into that American/Irish market. Add Frampton to that and it's getting interesting stateside for the paddies! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Primo Carnera

Sounds like he's made a good move. Him and Barnes going down the U.S. Route is interesting. They'll definitely tap into that American/Irish market. Add Frampton to that and it's getting interesting stateside for the paddies! :)

---

Yes he will be a plastic paddy's dream over in the USA.
Everyone with a drop of Irish blood will claim him as one of their own
Good luck 👏