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Right Step, Right Time – Mick Conlan ready for Brazilian step-up on Belfast return


Mick Conlan is confident he will pass his first major pro test in Belfast next Saturday night [June 30th].

The Olympic bronze medallist and World amateur champion will face former super bantamweight world title challenger Adeilson Dos Santos [19(15)-4(2)] in his homecoming fight at the SSE Odyssey Arena.

Dos Santos challenged Conlan’s former gym-mate Jessie Magdaleno for the belt now held by Isaac Dogboe last year.

The Brazilian was stopped within two rounds in California but still represents a major step up for the Falls feather – indeed, Dos Santos is just the kind of foe the ambitious talent has called for.

Conlan [7(5)-0] admits he faces a tough assignment in the headline attraction but is more than confident that it’s a test he will pass.

“Dos Santos has competed at the highest level and this fight will be my toughest fight as professional to date,” said the Top Rank starlet.

“He has challenged for the world title, made Kid Galahad work, but I believe it’s a test I am ready for.”

“At this stage it’s all about progression and learning. I believe it’s the right step at the right time.”

The eight rounder is the 26-year-old’s first pro fight in his home city.

Indeed it’s the first time Conlan has boxed at home since February 2011 when he lost in the Ulster Senior Championship flyweight final on a controversial decision to Declan Milligan.

The Olympic medal winner has ensured ‘The Conlan Revolution’ will have a pit stop in Ireland once a year by demanding an annual homecoming in his Top Rank contract – and is delighted to be fighting in the fight mad city next week.

“It is an honour to be boxing at the Odyssey Arena and an even bigger honour to be headlining the card.”

“I have been there watching Carl Frampton box many times and often pictured myself in that ring being cheered on.”

The undercard has produced one of the most competitive undercards ever seen in Belfast with a number of intriguing showdowns.

World ranked Jack Catterall risks his WBO light welterweight title against Lenadoon’s Tyrone McKenna. There is a brilliant all Dublin rematch when Jono Carroll defends his IBF Intercontinental crown against Declan Geraghty.

Derry’s Tyrone McCullagh meets Glasgow’s Joe Ham for the vacant BBBoC Celtic super bantamweight title clash that doubles as a British title eliminator, Lewis Benson fights Johnny Coyle in an all-British clash, while there is also a major step up for Naas lightweight Gary Cully against Zoltan Szabo

The undercard also features a number of top prospects including Lewis Crocker, Sunny Edwards, Padraig McCrory, Taylor McGoldrick, Neslan Machado, and debutant Sean McComb while former world title challenger Gary Corcoran remains on the bill having seen his welterweight bout with Paddy Gallagher postponed.

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