THE man of steel, Vladimir Nikitin, will be undone by his own arrogance when he trades punches with Michael Conlan, says Conlan’s brother and manager Jamie.
A featherweight contest with an undercurrent of bad blood will unfold on the greatest stage of all – New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden – tomorrow night and Conlan expects his younger brother to knock out the man who ruined his Olympic dream before the end of the eighth round.
Speaking yesterday at the Stewart Hotel in Manhattan, Conlan predicts a cagey opening and a concussive conclusion to a grudge match that has been in the mix since Nikitin scored that controversial win at the Rio Olympics more than three years ago.
“The first three rounds will be a bit touch-and-go,” said Jamie, a super-flyweight world title challenger himself two years ago.
“Gameplans will be getting played out and there will be a bit of a feeling-out process but I think Mick stops him possibly between six and eight.
“The toughness of Nikitin will determine how long this fight lasts. Nikitin is a very, very tough Russian, he is very tough mentally and very strong physically. He can drag it out but I think Mick will dissect him with mid-to-long-range boxing.
“Nikitin will then try and pressure him and get on the inside and once he gets inside we will see how much he can take. I watched Mick with Kiko Martinez in sparring and Kiko is known for being a very heavy, strong inside fighter and it was no problem for Mick.
“I can see Mick breaking him down and possibly getting him out of there before eight but it depends how tough Nikitin is, he could hang in there and survive to the end but he is not going to be able to run away like the other opponents have done on Michael.
“Something that people have highlighted is that Mick is not a one-punch knockout artist and we have never said he is but if you look at his opponents, once he hits them they all move, they all start to move away and no-one stays in with him.
“I believe Nikitin will stay in. That tough Russian arrogance will be his own downfall. We want to come in and stay in the pocket.”
While Jamie was speaking, a well-built, shaven-headed guy walked in off the street. Manhattan was freezing outside but Vladimir Nikitin wore just a grey tracksuit – no coat, no wooly hat, no gloves… Yes, he’s a tough dude and the Russian and his team remain totally convinced of victory tomorrow night.
“They are very confident,” said Jamie.
“They’ve brought in a new Russian coach to help them prepare and they’re saying their tactics won’t be as aggressive as we believe and that they are going to box more.
“They’re saying he is an Olympic, European and World medallist for a reason, they’re confident but I believe the fight is won already.
“Mick’s preparation has been phenomenal. He has looked amazing in camp, his sparring was great and we are very happy, we’re very confident. This is something that has been lingering on since 2016 and we finally get a chance to put it to bed.”
