CONLAN at the Garden on St Patrick’s Day… It has become a must-see for boxing fans in general and supporters of the west Belfast featherweight in particular.
Next Tuesday night, the iconic New York venue will be rocking to the Wolfe Tones against a backdrop of shamrocks and tri-colours for the fourth time as unbeaten Michael Conlan makes his annual pilgrimage to the New York boxing Mecca and returns to where it all began in his first fight of what promises to be a momentous year.
His experienced opponent Belmar Preciado (21-2-1) has as many knockout wins, 13, as Conlan has had professional fights so, although ‘Irish Mick’ will walk out as favourite, he is well aware that the Columbian has the tools to scupper all his future plans.
“I think it’s known around the world now that a Michael Conlan fight on St Patrick’s Day at Madison Square Garden is something you have to experience if you are a fan of boxing,” said Conlan.
“The atmosphere is something that is very, very hard to beat and I get excited for it, what I enjoy most is the walk to the ring. It’s unbelievable, it makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck and I’ll be honest, I get nervous, but as soon as I get into it it’s like everything settles down in me and I just think: ‘I’m home’.
“I just feel like I’m ready to and I’m looking forward to getting in there. I’m back doing what I have to do, working hard, training hard and getting better and better. This will be a tough test.”
“He has plenty of experience.
“He’s been a pro longer than me, he has more fights than me, the same amount of knockouts as I have fights so he obviously can punch. I just have to win, whether it’s a points win or a knockout win, as long as I win nothing else matters.
“Obviously I want to get this guy out of there like every other guy, I have to be careful but I will be going for it.”
