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“The pros ain’t the amateurs” – Tim Ibarra warns Mick Conlan ahead of Irishman’s pro debut

It’s a whole different ball game.

That’s the promise Colorado’s Tim Ibarra [4(1)-4(2)] has made Mick Conlan ahead of the Belfast man’s professional debut tomorrow night in New York.

Eight ounce gloves, more rounds, underhand tactics, Conlan will certainly have some adjusting to do – although his supreme skill and World Series of Boxing experience will definitely help here.

But adjust he must. and Ibarra hopes to give the Irishman a tough start at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York – where Conlan headlines a Top Rank bill.

Ibarra is no mug either. Boxing since childhood, the Brighton fighter was a relatively accomplished amateur, boxing at the U.S. Olympic trials in 2012.

Add to this the huge stage and over two months of preparation and it is fair to say that Conlan will be facing the best possible version of the Rocky Mountain puncher.

While, on paper, Conlan should easily brush aside the challenge of the American, most likely by knockout, Ibarra still should not be underestimated.

Speaking at yesterday’s final press conference, Ibarra stated that “e’re coming not to let Conlan have an easy pro debut. The pros ain’t the amateurs.”

“I’ve trained really hard for this fight, we got the call in January and have been training ever since.”

“It’s going to be a tough fight. I really expect a tough fight between both of us, it ain’t going to be easy.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

Jamie Conlan joins Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill for Episode 3 of The Irish Boxing Show:

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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