Jamie Conlan – “People are back talking boxing in barbershops and bars”
His Commonwealth title fight may have been shelved, and he may have therefore been bumped off the headline slot, but Jamie Conlan was still the happiest man in Belfast on Saturday night.
‘The Mexican’ easily outpointed Hungarian replacement David Koos over eight rounds on the Boxnation ‘Homecoming’ bill at the Titanic Exhibition Centre and was delighted to be back in his home city.
Super flyweight Conlan had last fought in Belfast over two years ago and, after two unbelievable fights with Junior Granados and Anthony Nelson, he had pushed hard for big cards to return to the Titanic City.
Therefore the card had a personal feel for Conlan, and the 30 year old was ecstatic that the show was a success.
Speaking afterwards, the West Belfast man described how “this was amazing. I was worried about the venue, I wasn’t too sure, and I was kinda too involved. Maybe I took too much involvement and it drained myself a bit, but when I came in today and saw that and I was amazed.”
“Look at that tonight – and it was thrown together.”
Noting the buzz the card has created in Belfast, Conlan outlined how “The build up was brilliant. People are back talking boxing in barbershops and bars.”
“The media all week have been absolutely brilliant. We’ve been getting stopped in the street, it’s like big time boxing is back – and there was no big time fight on the card.”
“This show’s crowd was fantastic, and at five weeks notice to promote a show and all the boxers did their deal in tickets, fantastic. They announced the show with me and Paddy – no opponents, and look how well it’s done.”
Crediting fight fans in the city, the Commonwealth champion described how “They understand good boxers and bad boxers, and you hear them pick it up [the atmosphere] when there’s a lull. All Belfast fans have either boxed or have a real interest in the sport.”
“These people deserve big nights. What’s going to happen when they announce a show with Paddy for a title or me for a title?”
Conlan believes now that Belfast has proved itself worthy of a regular stream of televised Boxnation shows and explained how “the success that we have shown tonight shows that they have to come back.”
“It just shows that we can do shows like this, imagine if we had bigger fights? We’ve got a [product, we’ve got a demand, and we can bring TV here all the time. I want all my fights here now.”
“We’re coming back here late February, early March. Myself and Paddy will be back here in Belfast, especially after the reception and the way it was done here.”
Photo Credit: Michael Hooley
