Mick Conlan frustrated by Nikitin withdrawal

Mick Conlan is not impressed with the lack of ambition shown from his ‘defeater’ Vladimir Nikitin, whom he believes has settled for Olympic bronze.

The Russian was farcically adjudged to have beaten Conlan in their bantamweight quarter final on Tuesday, but has since withdrawn from today’s semi against US teen star Shakur Stevenson.

The withdrawal is due to cuts sustained against Thai fighter Chatchai Butdee and exponentially worsened by Conlan, however the Irishman believes that this is just and excuse from Nikitin and the Russian camp.

Speaking last night on Newstalk 106FM’s Off The Ball, Conlan mused that “the guy settled for a bronze medal.”

“In the [2014] Commonwealth Games final, I was cut the day before and I had a massive gash on my head a lot bigger than the two cuts he has on his head, and in a lot worse of a place as well.”

“I think he’s just given up. I took everything out of him and he’s given up. He doesn’t want to go in there and take another hiding, which he would have.”

The feeble end to Nikitin’s Games have disappointed Conlan, who noted that “he’s a tough fighter but I’m devastated, I’m heartbroken.”

“He’s took my dream and not even tried to go on and emulate my dream and try and get that gold medal – he’s just gave up and settled for bronze.”

Stevenson, who has provisionally agreed to sign with Floyd Mayweather following the Games, will face either Cuban Robeisy Ramirez or Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan in Saturday’s final.