Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FROM RUSSIA WITH GLOVES
Conlan to summon his ‘inner Rocky’ when he tries to right wrong of Olympic controversy against nemesis Vladimir
MICHAEL CONLAN joked he might have to summon his inner Rocky when he takes on Vladimir Nikitin this summer.
It was announced yesterday that the former amateur rivals will fight as part of the Féile an Phobail at Falls Park on August 3.
Belfast featherweight Conlan suffered a controversial defeat to Nikitin (inset) at the 2016 Rio Olympics,after which Conlan labelled amateur boxing “corrupt”.
Now, three years on, he insists he is ready to “right the wrongs” of that defeat.
“It’s on,” declared Conlan. “This is the fight I have wanted since the day of that Olympics fight on August 16, 2016. It is finally here and I am really excited. It is going to be unbelievable, and I really don’t know what to expect.
“It is going to be a phenomenal event with a phenomenal atmosphere, and the fact it is Falls Park where I grew up is amazing.
“I used to fight there as a kid, and now I am getting paid to fight there against my biggest rival in sport so far. It is going to be unbelievable, and I will be unbeatable.”
Conlan joked: “I think I will have a Rocky playlist ready, to face the Russian. So I suppose this is my Moscow.
“I am going to come in with that mentality. I am not going to box like Rocky and take punches to the head. But I will go in with that mentality as being the underdog. Righting the wrongs of three years ago.”
Nikitin wasn’t in attendance at yesterday’s press conference, but he has already warned Conlan that his Olympic victory was ‘no fluke’.
The Russian added: “I am coming to his hometown during their biggest festival to show everyone my Olympic victory was not a fluke. This is going to be repeat, not revenge.
“Conlan will regret pushing for this fight. I beat him twice in the amateurs and will do the same as a pro. It will feel even sweeter to beat him in his hometown. Belfast here I come!”
US promoter Bob Arum has confirmed fight plans for Carl Frampton.
Arum revealed that Frampton will return to the ring in August, with the Jackal set to fight in America.
The 32-year-old had expected to return next month but those plans changed after his court case with ex-manager Barry Mcguigan was delayed.
“Frampton is fighting in August in the US, and then he’ll fight for a championship in probably November or December,” Arum said.
“Frampton was going to fight on August 3 but then that date went to Michael Conlan.
“I’m going to Belfast, where Conlan will fight. Later on in August, maybe the 10th or the 23rd, he’ll be fighting. He’ll be top of the bill.”
It is hoped Frampton will fight WBO featherweight world champion Oscar Valdez later in the year.
Valdez fights on June 8, and if both men win then it is expected that they will meet in the US.