Conlan’s garden a big stage
THE REMATCH of the controversial Rio 2016 quarter-final between Michael Conlan and Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin could take place in Belfast next summer.
Both men are signed with Top Rank USA in the pro ranks and Conlan would relish the opportunity to meet the Russian, who also beat him in at the 2013 World Championships.
“Next year, hopefully, in Ireland we’re going to have a big outdoor arena fight for me in the Féile,” said the unbeaten Belfast feather and two-time Irish Olympian.
“To have that in my local festival at the Falls Park, which is basically my back garden, it would be fantastic. There’s talk already of fighting Nikitin in there.”
Next up for Conlan is an October 20 outing against Mexico’s Jose Osorio in Las Vegas Band and he could also have his 10th pro fight in New York by Christmas.
Nikitin earned a controversial decision over Conlan in Rio. All 36 referees and judges at the Games have been banned with Thomas Bach, President of the International Committee, saying he’s still not convinced that there was no match fixing at the 31st Olympiad.
Conlan’s outburst after the loss earned him a maximum fine of 10,000 Swiss Francs which he refuses to pay.
CK Wu, President of AIBA at Rio 2016, has been removed and Bach has warned that if Gafur Rakhimov, Wu’s interim replacement, is elected AIBA President in November, boxing’s place at Tokyo 2020 will be under threat.