FAST VEGAS
JAMIE CONLAN admits he feels like a “kid at Christmas” as he prepares for his shot at boxing glory.
The 31-year-old has a date with destiny tomorrow night when he challenges Jerwin Ancajas for the Filipino’s IBF world super-flyweight title at the SSE Arena, Belfast.
Undefeated Conlan (19-0) knows it will take a career-best performance to dethrone Ancajas.
But with a home crowd roaring him on, the Belfast man holsters the self-belief he will emerge with his hand raised.
“This is a lifetime’s ambition. To be fighting for a world title in Belfast, and with my mates,” said Conlan.
“With Carl Frampton, Paddy Barnes, Tommy Mccarthy and big Steven Ward – I have known these guys since we were 15 and 16. It is a dream come true, and I have to pinch myself sometimes.
“I am privileged to be on a bill like this, and we are getting so much exposure.
“Belfast boxing has been booming for some time, but this is the golden age of boxing, especially in Belfast. You can’t name another city that has had a world title unification fight four weeks ago, and then two more world title fights taking place in the same arena, with a two-weight world champion and fighter of the year.
“These things are unheard of, and they don’t happen in small cities like Belfast. They are made for big nights in Las Vegas.
“But we have the talent here in Belfast that deserves nights like these, and now it is down to us to keep this wave going.
“All that matters now is winning. Then we will keep the ball rolling.”
With a massive outdoor show planned for Windsor Park next summer, Conlan is determined to stay on track for more big nights in Belfast.
“There are big plans about Windsor Park next summer, so I am excited by the future,” he added.
“But I can’t let myself get distracted with talk of the future, and I don’t. I only think about Saturday night, and I am like a kid before Christmas.
“The countdown is on, and I am waiting on Santa coming with that big shiny red belt.”
Ancajas (27-1-1) claimed the IBF super-flyweight belt with a unanimous points win over Mcjoe Arroyo in September, 2016.
He has since made two successful defences of his crown, making him a formidable opponent in
Conlan’s eyes.
“I am under no illusions, but I am ready,” he added.
“He is a skilful boxer. But I am ready for everything. If we have to go into the trenches I will be ready. I am comfortable at being uncomfortable.” some rest for Belfast.
“I threw the match away from 4-2 up, no doubt about it.
“I had loads of chances to see out the match from 4-2 but that’s the way it is sometimes.”
The ‘Pistol’ stormed into a 2-0 lead with breaks of 61 and 102.
Lisowski grabbed the next before centuries, 100 and 115, moved Allen within touching distance of the last eight.
But it all began to unravel for the left-hander as he missed easy balls to see out the match.
Lisowski kept his nerve with a 62 visit in the decider and faces Kurt Maflin next.
Fan favourites Ronnie O’sullivan and Judd Trump cruised in to the quarters with 5-0 whitewashes over Barry Hawkins and Stephen Maguire respectively.