MICHAEL Conlan has hailed his historic gold medal success in the AIBA World Elite Championships as the “greatest achievement in my boxing career” – and hopes it will mean he tops the rankings at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio.
The Ireland team captain defeated Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akmadaliev by unanimous decision in Wednesday’s bantamweight final to become the first Irish male to win a senior World title.
Conlan believes he will “probably be number one” in the seedings in Brazil, as he picked up 1,200 ranking points for his latest success.
The Clonard ace has already spoken of his intention to turn over to the paid ranks after the Rio Games.
Since securing bronze in London 2012, Conlan’s career path has been on an upward trajectory, something he puts down to a new-found maturity – physically as well as mentally.
“I think it’s a natural progression, I’ve got better in every tournament and I’ve been very happy with how I’ve performed throughout the competition,” Conlan said.
“It’s down to hard work and growing up, I was immature but now I’m growing into a full man.
“I also have man-strength now compared to when I was in the Olympic Games [in 2012] when I was very weak.
“I watched my quarter-final in London the other night and I realised how far I’ve come.”
The 23-year-old survived a third round knockdown against Akmadaliev to win 30-27, 29-28, 29-28.
Hitting the canvas was a new experience for the Belfast man, but Conlan knew victory was within his grasp.
“I wasn’t concerned at all, I was just shocked because I’d never been on the canvas in my life, so it was a weird one for me. But I knew I’d be able to get up and I recovered very quickly.
“My fitness is fantastic at the minute so I knew I was always able to last it.”
Last night, Joe Ward came up short in his attempt to join Conlan as a world gold medallist after losing to Cuba’s Julio Cesar La Cruz in the light-heavyweight final. The Westmeath man returns from Doha with a silver.
