FIGHT NIGHT FOCUS: Pages 44-45
MICHAEL Conlan says he is ready to prove his world title credentials with a special display against Diego Alberto Ruiz at Falls Park tonight.
Conlan admits that he is aware of some criticism of his progress since turning professional two-and-a-half years ago amidst some incredible hyperbole but as he seeks to chalk up a 12th straight victory, the Belfast man is determined to make a major statement before a soldout 10,000 venue.
“This occasion and this stage demands a big performance so I’m confident that you’re going to see the best performance of my career,” said Conlan (right).
“I don’t worry about those who have their opinions about how I’m developing as a professional. I know what I can do and I know how much I’ve learned in this camp.
“I’ve added a new dimension to my game and Ruiz is the right opponent at the right time. He’s a fresh, hungry guy who is coming to take my head off and that gives me an excitement and some nerves as well.
Face to face: Michael Conlan (left) and Diego
Alberto Ruiz during yesterday’s weigh-in
“It’s that kind of nervousness that will inspire me to produce the performance that I know I’m capable of.
“With a good win here I could be one good fight away from a world title opportunity so it’s very important I go out and take care of business against Ruiz in style.” OLE Gunnar Solskjaer expects Manchester United to complete “one or two” deals before next week’s transfer deadline after agreeing a fee with Leicester for England centre-back Harry Maguire.
United will pay £80m — a world record for a defender — for the 26-year-old, with the deal subject to a medical and personal terms, though with Maguire keen to make the step up the latter should prove no obstacle.
Solskjaer declined to comment on the Maguire deal during an interview ahead of the International Champions Cup game with Milan in Cardiff today.
But United boss Solskjaer said: “We still hope one or two deals can be done. We’ve been working on cases for a long time and suddenly the deal can be done when it’s dragging on.
“We’ve had targets, but as a coach and manager when you go out on the pitch you have to work with the ones you have. I’ve never been thinking, ‘I’ll play him there but he’s coming in’.”
Maguire’s arrival could well lead to a clear-out at Old Trafford, where there are already six centre-backs — Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Axel Tuanzebe — in the senior squad.