Mexican match-up fits the bill for Mick Conlan

Mick Conlan [10(6)-0] will get the Mexican test he has long craved this coming St Patrick’s Day.

The Belfast featherweight returns to The Theater at Madison Square Garden for a third year in a row on Sunday March 17th where he will face Mexico’s Ruben Garcia Hernandez [24(10)-3(1)-2] over ten rounds.

The Cancun-based puncher, who has replaced the similarly come-forward Duarn Vue, boasts an attractive looking record and went the distance and took rounds off WBA bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire less than 18 months ago.

Conlan, a fighter that prefers opponents to come to him, is more than happy with the match. Hernandez is his second Mexican foe as a pro although is sure to provide a far tougher test than spoiler Jose Chanez who he took on in his second paid bout.

The Falls fighter noted how “I’ve watched him a few times now and he’s an experienced fighter who know his way around the ring. He went the full distance with Donaire last year so he’s obviously tough.”

“He’s a little different to what I’ve come across before. He comes with more of a Mexican style and will be in front of me trying to take my head off at times. It’s just what I’ve been looking forward to!”

“Me fighting at Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s Day is becoming a tradition and that’s always been the plan since I first signed with Top Rank,” added Conlan.

This tradition will be bolstered in 2019 with the addition of Paddy Barnes [5(1)-1(1)] to the card.

The recent WBC flyweight title challenger and long-time amateur team-mate and room-mate of Conlan will be making his U.S. debut and his close friend is delighted to have company on the Top Rank ESPN+ bill.

The 2015 World Amateur Champion described how “it’s fantastic to have Paddy on the card with me. He’s been looking to get on one of these St Paddy’s Day cards since my first one so to finally have him on is great.”

“I think the Americans will love him – everyone who meets him does!”