Conlan and Wilton on collision course
19 December 2010 – Jonny Stapleton
Irelands smallest boxers Luke Wilton and Jamie Conlan could be on a big British and Irish title 2011 collision course.
Both prospects are keen to become lord of the domestic flys over the next 12 months and could yet face each other for one if not both of the straps.
The pair finished off impressive 2010s with victories on the Lindsay v John Simpson undercard and both immediately stated they would be open to an all Belfast flyweight Irish title fight.
Wilton, who avenged his defeat to Usman Ahmed in his last bout, and Conlan, who pushed his record to five without defeat, have also targeted British title fights in the near future.
An Irish title fight with Luke Wilton is one I would take tomorrow. I’ve no problem in fighting Luke. He is a nice guy but not in my league. No talks have started but I would be one hundred percent confident of winning and look good doing so, Conlan told Mirror Sport before Winky Wilton echoed the sentiment.
I would certainly take the fight and I would be very confident of wining. We did spar each other and me and Jamie get on but I think I would win that fight.
However, despite an Irish title fight being on the horizon the flyweight duo have their sights firmly set on become a British champion before the New Year is out.
I hope my win against Ahmed can help me get a shot at British title. I put Ahmed down in the first and won comfortably and hopefully it impressed enough people, Wilton said. The win was great and the most important thing but revenge was sweet I have to admit.
Conlan is also eager for a shot at the belt currently owned by Paul Edwards and wants it in the same time frame as his fellow flyweight.
Hopefully next year will be the year that I’m the new British champ. I am happy with my last performance and I am really enjoying myself at present. I am looking out forward to the next fight.
Meanwhile Irish light-heavyweight champion Ciaran Healy was unlucky to loose on points against French champion Frank Haroche Horta at the Palais des Sports de Gerland in Lyon on Saturday night.