Allen sick and tired of losing

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

SQUARING UP Jamie Conlan and Jerwin Ancajas in Belfast yesterday TITLE PUSH Paddy Barnes, right, hopes to boost his ranking tomorrow night READY TO BE REBORN Carl Frampton is confident of getting his career back on track against Horacio Garcia tomorrow...

WHITEWASH O’sullivan triumphed 5-0 yesterday

THREW IT ALL AWAY Antrim’s Mark Allen