MICHAEL Conlan could be fighting at world title level within two years says his manager Matthew Macklin.
Speaking from New York, the scene of Conlan’s professional debut on St Patrick’s Day, Macklin described the west Belfast super-bantamweight as a “future superstar” and says the Top Rank fighter will be kept busy as he cuts a swathe through the pro ranks.
“With Mick’s age and his amateur pedigree I think he’ll be moved quickly,” said Macklin.
“He won’t be rushed, but he’ll be moved quickly. He has that level of ability where he could be fighting for a world title in two years, maybe three years.
“He has the right team behind him, the right trainer, the right promoter and I think he has a very bright future.”
Conlan embarks on a pro career as the most decorated Irish amateur fighter of all time. He was a bronze medallist at the 2012 London Olympics, the first Irish male to become World Amateur champion, European champion (and boxer of that tournament) and Commonwealth Games champion.
He turned his back on amateur boxing after judges at ringside in Rio declared Russian opponent Vladimir Nikitin the winner at the quarter-final stage even though Conlan had given him a three-round beat-down that prevented him from boxing again in the tournament.
“You’ve got an amateur here who has boxed at two Olympic Games and was a World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships gold medallist. God knows how many international fights he had and he boxed all over the world against top class fighters,” said Macklin.
“So you’re not dealing with a regular amateur turning professional, he’s just turned 25, he’s mature, he had a very extensive amateur career he has the kind of personality that thrives under pressure.
“He likes the big stage and I think it will bring the best out of him. You’re not just building a good fighter here, I think this is someone who is destined for super-stardom.”
Macklin added: “It is a fairytale debut, it is what dreams are made of. After Friday night, Mick will have announced himself on the professional scene as a future superstar, not just a world champion.
“It’s a long road, there’s a long way to go, there’s a lot of hard work and dedication required but he certainly has the potential to go all the way – not just to be a world champion but a huge, huge cross-over name in sport.”
In his own career, former Tipperary underage hurling star Macklin came close to landing the world title he coveted but came up short three times. He admitted that guiding his protégé Conlan to what eluded him would be “the next best thing”.
“I felt I was very unlucky not to be crowned world champion in Germany against Felix Sturm, I ran Sergio Martinez close until the end and obviously Gennady Golovkin was too good for me,” he recalled.
“I think Mick has all the ingredients, he has the right team behind him. Just look at what Top Rank did with Miguel Cotto – that’s the blueprint for how Michael will be brought along.
“Madison Square Garden was very important in building Cotto, he made it his home. “When you realise how many Irish are in New York, Madison Square Garden is probably going to be the home for Mick.
“It’s very fitting that his home debut is here on St Patrick’s Day weekend and I think that’ll be his date moving forward. If I can play a part in his career and him fulfil his potential then it’ll be a very sweet moment for me and make up for not quite getting over the line myself in my own career.”
