VLADIMIR Nikitin says he’ll ruin Michael Conlan’s plans for a world title shot in Belfast next summer when the former amateur rivals collide for the first time as pros at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.
By fair means and foul, Nikitin beat Conlan at the 2013 World Championships and then the 2016 Olympics – medalling on both occasions at the Belfast man’s expense. Conlan went into those 2016 Games as the World Amateur champion and looking destined to realise his childhood dream of becoming an Olympic Gold medallist.
But Nikitin and the judges at ringside in Rio spoiled those dreams and the combative Russian intends to do exactly the same at the iconic ‘Garden’ at the weekend.
“I don’t have to prove anything to anybody,” said the stony-faced Nikitin through an interpreter at yesterday’s press conference.
“I won two bouts against him in the amateurs and this is another big step for me in my professional career.”
He didn’t agree, or at least he wouldn’t publicly admit, that meeting Conlan means more to him than his previous three opponents as a pro.
“I have already fought at Madison Square Garden,” said the muscular skinhead.
“My last fight was here (a points win over Juan Tapia), I have been in the arena and I’m taking the next step of my career on Saturday night. I prepare for every fight the same.
“I am ready for 10 rounds and we will see what’s going to happen in the ring. We will see what we both bring into the ring.”
Conlan, sporting a stylish Rocky IV-style bomber jacket yesterday, has predicted that Nikitin will not last seven rounds on Saturday night. He intends to do a “stone cold” and ruthless job and then move on to a world title shot next year.
“This is straight business for me,” he said.
“There is no emotional or personal attachment to it. Vladimir beat me in 2013, when I moved up to bantamweight, and 2016 he got the decision. He knows deep down that he has to prove something because his career is always going to be remembered for the Olympics.
“He has to come and prove something on Saturday night, I don’t believe he will. I have prepared fully, I have been training for 14 weeks in this camp so I am ready for anything.”
Saturday night is Conlan’s fifth appearance at Madison Square Garden. He was originally expected to face Nikitin at Feile an Phobail in August but the Russian pulled out with a torn bicep.
“It’s very fitting for me to be having this rematch here at the Garden,” he added.
“This is where I restarted my boxing career after the Olympics and this is where I’ll close the chapter of the Olympics and put everything in the past and stop talking about it.
“I’m fed up with it, I just want to take care of business and move on.”
Top Rank mogul Bob Arum confirmed that Conlan’s world title shot is in the works for Belfast next year. But first Conlan has to take care of Nikitin.
“The second dream that Mick had when we signed him was that he would be fighting for a world title and hopefully back in Belfast and we are going to try and make that happen,” said the 88-year-old New Yorker.
“We can’t determine what happens in the ring, that’s up to Mick, but assuming that he does win, we’re going to have him back in New York for the St Patrick’s Day celebration and then on to a world title, hopefully in Belfast.”
