Jamie Conlan backs Mick’s pick of Adam Booth

Michael Conlan’s move to London from LA is as much about learning as it is logistics suggests his brother Jamie.

The Top Rank prospect began his paid career with Manny Robles in The Rock Gym in Carson, California and worked his way to five wins while training alongside the likes world champions Jessie Magdaleno and Oscar Valdez.

However, the Belfast featherweight has relocated to London and will now work alongside Andy Lee and Ryan Burnett under the tutelage of Adam Booth.

The 26-year-old Falls Road man, who next fights in New York on March 17th, revealed being close to home with an expectant partner played a part in his decision, but there is more to it than suggests his number one fan and big brother.

Recent World title challenger Jamie Conlan suggests at this stage of his career the 2015 World gold medal winner needs someone with Booth’s coaching style.

Although big things are expected of the Irish talent his brother believes there is still some learning to do and is confident the diligent Booth can only help in that regard.

“The switch from LA to London wasn’t easy, Southern California is the hotbed of boxing and especially leaving Manny Robles as he became close to him over the year but with his fiancé expecting their second child the logical move was for them to be home and back with family as after all family is the most important thing,” Jamie Conlan told Irish-Boxing.com.

“Having said that, for Michael to grow as a fighter he needed a coach like Adam. Adam keeps his stable small and gives his boxers an education in the game, he’s a teacher and has the ability to nurture the natural ability of a boxer and give them a better understanding of the game.”

Conlan was present as ‘The Dark Lord’ and his younger sibling trailed each other over the last week and having seen how the two gelled he is excited to see the results of their first camp together come Paddy’s Day.

“I think it’s a great move. Adam is highly regarded as the best coach in the UK and has the C.V to prove it, having spent a week with Michael in London with Adam and the lads in the gym, I knew it was the right move for Michael’s career both inside and outside the gym.”

“Having seen how they have clicked already I’m excited for the times ahead and intrigued how things develop, starting with St Paddy’s day in The Garden.”

The brothers are not the only boxing talent in the Conlan family. Their father John is a noted boxing brain and renowned amateur coach on the island. It prompts some to ask why neither brother have used him as coach, but the elder of the boxing brothers claims his father is focused on developing Irish amateur talent.

“My Dad is continuously asked by other professional boxers to train them from both home and abroad but his heart is in developing the amateurs at all levels. He’s got a great system in place with the Ulster High Performance team and constantly producing world class talent.”

“We both would love to have him as a coach, he’s always offering advice during camp and pushing us on to improve – and while out of camp, along with our other brother Paddy Barnes, we go and do a bit of work with him.”

In terms of himself, there is no official news as to what the entertaining super flyweight’s next move will be. The 31-year-old recently took a job with MTK Global as Professional Development Coordinator, and his future inside the ring remains unclear – however, he is back training.

Conlan described how he “just started back, ticking over at the minute, enjoyed the rest over the Christmas period and now just waiting on the birth of my baby.”