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Mick Conlan believes Jason Cunningham is the perfect showcase test


Jason Cunningham will be able to put it on Mick Conlan [9(6)-0] verbally if he so wishes but, more importantly, the Belfast fighter’s first British opponent will come to put it on him physically – or so believes the Top Rank starlet.

The Olympic bronze medallist has been frustrated with the negative approach of the majority of his nine opponents to date and has bemoaned their defensive approach.

Indeed, the Adam Booth-trained talent, whose last opponent Nicola Cipolletta was more on his motorbike than just bike, has been left annoyed that he has been unable to show what he is capable of against foes with no ambition.

The 26-year-old believes Cunnigham [24(6)-5(1)] will prove different.

Conlan predicts the two-weight Commonwealth and double English champion will come to fight and thus provide him with a chance to entertain in Manchester on the undercard of Carl Frampton’s challenge of IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington’s.

“This is maybe the first time I will be facing someone who can speak proper English!” said Conlan, slightly harshly on native English speakers Tim Ibarra, Kenny Guzman, and Jarrett Owen.

“The fans will know him and I rate Jason Cunningham, but I believe come fight night I will show my class and how good I actually am,” continued the Falls Road feather.

Conlan is too much of a straight-talker to claim that Cunningham is a ‘step-up’ considering he faced recent world title challenger Adeilson Dos Santos in Belfast during the summer. However, he does believe that the Yorkshireman will bring something new to the table.

The 2015 World Amateur champion outlined how “I have been calling for stiffer opposition for a while now, although I know my fight in Belfast was a tough test, but I quite easily outboxed that dude.”

“The fact that Jason is known for giving it a go and not backing down – and with it being an opponent who will bring a fanbase with him – it will be a first for me. It is something I need to experience.”

“There is no doubt in my mind that I will prepare strenuously because this dude will provide a tough challenge in a fight that he will believe he can win.”

Conlan is relishing the prospect of fighting the experienced and tough 29-year-old.

The Top Rank talented noted how Cunningham “is a good, experienced fighter who has been in with some top guys and I am looking forward to facing this challenge head on in only my 10th fight.”

“It is something I am excited about and something where I believe I can show the best Michael Conlan.”

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