‘Give me one round’ – Forgotten man Conor Quinn sets reminder
Conor Quinn [2(2)-0] says he just needs one round to put his name back on fight fan’s lips.
The exciting young talent, who has been earmarked to be the next big ‘wee man’ to emerge from Belfast, hasn’t fought in just under three years.
The 21-year-old had scan issues that kept him from competing and his enforced sabbatical saw him slip from the consciousness of many within the fright fraternity.
The former Clonard ABC amateur has finally been given the all-clear, makes a long overdue return to competitive action on the undercard of Eric Donovan and Khalil El Hadri’s vacant EU title fight this coming Saturday – and plans to make an impression.
Indeed, the Dee Walsh trained Mark Dunlop guided flyweight says he will need just three minutes to remind people why there was previously so much excitement surrounding him.
“Two years out of the ring it would only be natural to be forgotten but come Saturday give me one round and I’ll I won’t be forgotten anymore,” he tells Irish-boxing.com with a cheeky smile.
“I’ll prove I have been working in the gym and everything me and Dee will come to light and like I said September 24 I won’t be forgotten again after that.”
The MHD signed, ‘Magnificent’ was to fight Angel Gabriel Chavez [3(3)-3(1)-1] live on TG4 but will instead trade leather with dangerous Nicuagarian Darwin Martinez.
If he secures victory the Belfast man wants to get moving quickly, something he believes is possible at flyweight and because he isn’t your average 2-0 fighter.
“The plan is to move quickly. I want to do it the traditional route so British, European and World titles,” he adds. “There are not many around at my weight in the UK, so a couple of fights and we’ll seriously be looking at British title shots and we’ll push on from there. Mark has a great plan and I genuinely believe I’m with the best man to get me to titles.”
The path to the top is less complicated for those in the smallest of weight classes. Just by virtue of a lack of bodies opportunities come around that bit faster and having been training full time for over three years, Quinn is confident he can pick up pace that bit quicker than most.
“I’m only 2-0 as a fighter, but the way I look at it is, most people with that record have only been a professional for a few months. I’ve been a professional fighter for three years and I’ve been sparring the best in the world. Andrew Maloney in Australia I sparred him every week and he was world champion at the time. Then I come home and train with Dee Walsh who I believe is one of the best coaches in the world.
“So although I’m only 2-0 in my head I’m a lot more advanced than any other 2-0 fighter. There is a fine line but I think Mark will always make the best move and pick the best fights possible.”