Sport

Michael Conlan the headline act as former Tyrone GAA star Fergal McCrory gears up for Madison Square Garden debut

Michael Conlan tangled with Vladimir Nikitin on his last visit to Madison Square Garden
Michael Conlan tangled with Vladimir Nikitin on his last visit to Madison Square Garden Michael Conlan tangled with Vladimir Nikitin on his last visit to Madison Square Garden

MICHAEL Conlan at the Garden on St Patrick’s Day 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 rock to the sounds of the Wolfe Tones amid a sea of shamrocks and tri-colours for the fourth time as unbeaten Conlan makes his now annual pilgrimage to the US boxing Mecca where it all began for 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 and I just think: ‘I’m home’.

“I just feel like I’m ready to go 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 because 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.”

Also on the card on St Patrick’s night is Limerick’s Paddy Donovan and Tyrone southpaw Feargal McCrory (11-0). Now based in New York for training former Brackaville GAC and Tyrone underage star McCrory won the Irish featherweight title when he stopped Karl Kelly this time last year.

He is now fighting out of Andre Rozier’s gym in Brooklyn and makes his US debut against rugged American Juan Tapia (9-3) who has already been in with Shakur Stevenson and former Michael Conlan foe Vladimir Nikitin.

“I’m going in to do a job, I’m going to work and I’m trying not to get caught-up in the whole thing,” said McCrory.

“It’s just another fight and I have prepared very, very well for it. I want to be able to look back on it and enjoy the memory of it. Yes it’s Madison Square Garden, yes it’s St Patrick’s Day but I’m just thinking about me and him in that ring and making sure I put on a good performance, making sure that I deliver.

“Tapia has known about this fight for about two months, same as me, so he has loads of time to prepare which is good. He will be coming to win, 100 per cent, it will be a tough fight but I have to be beating him and I have to be beating him well but I’m taking absolutely nothing for granted, it’s going to be very difficult.

“I believe it’ll be my hardest night’s work as a professional. He’s tough and he loves to go to war so I have to be careful that I stick to my gameplan and execute it.”