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Mick Conlan has fight on Pacquiao-Horn card confirmed

It has been mooted for months, but Top Rank have today confirmed that Mick Conlan [1(1)-0] is due to appear the massive Manny Pacquiao v Jeff Horn WBO welterweight world title card at SunCorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, on July 2nd.

Conlan has spoken numerous times about appearing on the bill, and Top Rank president Todd duBoef described it as “a big possibility” last month.

Today in Chicago however, Top Rank Vice-President Carl Moretti confirmed that, should Conlan win his second pro bout at the UIC Pavilion on May 26th, that the Belfast super bantamweight will feature on the Down Under card during the Summer.

Speaking at a media day for Conlan’s headline fight in the Windy City later this month, Moretti said “if all goes well, he’ll fight on July 2nd in Brisbane, Australia on Manny Pacquiao’s world championship undercard. There is a large Irish community in Australia.”

It’s a dream fight date for Conlan, who has previously spoken of his admiration for all-time-great Pacquiao.

Reflecting on Conlan’s St Patrick’s Day debut at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Moretti recalled how “New York City was an event. I have never seen a pro debut explode like that.”

“One day he will sell out Madison Square Garden in the big room, there’s no question. It’s something we feel is attainable.

In Chicago, Conlan will be fighting in another Irish hotbed, however Moretti noted that he has been receiving enquiries from less obvious areas of America.

“Boston, New York, Chicago will be the best places to host Michael’s fights,” he said. “But we are fielding calls from a lot of venues all over the U.S. He is an attraction.”

Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill on Episode 4 of The Irish Boxing Show

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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