Jamie Conlan hoping Cardoza win can set up world title fight
Jamie Conlan [18(11)-0] is already world-ranked by two of the four main governing bodies, and he wants to make that three at the weekend.
The Belfast super flyweight is currently ranked 2nd with the WBO, and 9th with the IBF.
Conlan headlines the BoxNation bill at the Waterfront Hall on Friday night where he will look to enter the Top 15 with the WBC when he fights Yader Cardoza [22(6)-10(5)-1] for the body’s Silver International title
It’s all about keeping options open for the 30 year old, who wants to be challenging for world honours before the year is out.
The 115lbs division’s current champions are Roman Gonzalez (WBC), Kal Yafai (WBA), Jerwin Ancajas (IBF), and Naoya Inoue (WBO).
In terms of which belt he envisions around his waist, Conlan is open to any opportunity, however there are two belts in particular that he name-checks, and one in particular that seems to make sense.
Noting his preferred options, Conlan described how “I’ve not seen anything of Ancajas but he’s got a very impressive record and he beat a good champion [McJoe Arroyo] to win the title. There’s noise that Naoya Inoue will be moving up to challenge the Japanese WBC bantamweight champion [Shinsuke Yamanaka] which could leave an opening for the vacant WBO title.”
Conlan’s promoter Frank Warren last year secured a WBO final eliminator for the West Belfast wee man.
The Danny Vaughan-trained puncher hopes to springboard himself into such a fight in a good win over Cardoza, himself a former WBC light flyweight title challenge, this weekend.
MTK’s Conlan outlined that “hopefully a great performance on Friday will finally lead to a huge fight against a big name at a massive arena.”
“I’ve been world rated for a wee while now so it’s a bit frustrating but you just have to keep focussing, set small short-term goals and then tick them off.”
“But I leave it all to my team. They’re biding their time but I’ve every confidence they’ll deliver. I’m a strong believer in letting the fighter fight, the trainer train, the manager manage and the promoter promote. We all have our job to do.”
The undercard at the weekend will feature an Irish super featherweight title clash between Deco Geraghty and James Tennyson, and a BUI Celtic light welterweight fight between Tyrone McKenna and Jake Hanney. Other names on the card include Paddy Barnes, Marco McCullough, Lewis Crocker, Phil Sutcliffe, Con Sheehan, Steven Ward, and Joe Fitzpatrick, as well as English fighters Troy Williamson and Kevin Satchell.
Tickets are available through the Waterfront Hall (CLICK HERE) or through the boxers themselves (which is the avenue we would recommend).
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
