Conlan to Mack step up in class
MATTHEW MACKLIN believes Michael Conlan needs to face a step up in class before he can show off the best of his skills. Conlan boosted his professional record to 2-0 with a dominant third-round stoppage win over Mexican journeyman Alfredo Chanez in Chicago last Friday night. however, the Belfast man struggled to find his rhythm against the awkward Chanez, who continually spoiled the featherweight fight before Conlan halted his foe with two right hooks to the body. With the 25-year-old Irishman having now recorded two third-round stoppages over journeymen after his debut win over American Tim Ibarra last March, his manager Macklin believes the world amateur champion needs to face better opponents. “I’d like him to get a step up now,” said Macklin. “I’m not saying he should be fighting a killer next or anything like that in the top 10, but someone who is coming with ambition someone with a winning record even if they aren’t a world beater, someone who wants to win. “That’s when we’ll see the best of Michael Conlan – when someone is trying to beat him, not someone who’s hell bent on surviving.” Conlan is set to fight on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s July 2 world welterweight title defence in Brisbane. Meanwhile, Kidlare featherweight Eric Donovan stopped hungarian Laszlo horvath in the fourth round of their bout at the National stadium on saturday night. six debutants had their first pro fights on the bill, with a total of 15 contests.