“Massive Improvements” for Mick Conlan ahead of Vegas debut following Booth and Burnett work
Having begun his pro career training with then WBO super bantamweight champion Jessie Magdaleno and WBO featherweight champ Óscar Valdez, it looked to be the perfect set-up for Mick Conlan.
However, since relocating from L.A. to London at the start of the year, the Belfast featherweight feels like he is hitting new levels.
Conlan has linked up with English trainer Adam Booth and joins a stable that also includes his fellow Belfast boxer and WBA bantamweight champ Ryan Burnet as well as Sunderland’s Commonwealth welterweight champ Josh Kelly.
The 26-year-old has had three fights under Booth so far, an early stoppage of Hungarian David Berna, a points domination of Spaniard Ibon Larrinaga, and a major step-up win over Brazilian former world title challenger Adeilson Dos Santos.
On Saturday night Conlan boxes in Las Vegas for the first time as a pro, facing former Italian champ Nicola Cipoletta [14(4)-6(2)-2] in an eight rounder and the Falls Road feather believes we will see the best version of him yet on the ESPN+ card at the Mandalay Bay.
This confidence comes following a camp which coach Booth has stated has seen the pair click, with everything falling into place, and Conlan explained how “I think I’ve made massive improvements in this camp through listening to my coach.”
“He feels the same so I’m in a good place mentally and physically.”
READ: Adam Booth initially underwhelmed by Mick Conlan
“I wouldn’t say it’s about man strength so much but in terms of maturity, I’m learning why I need to do things and how. I’m learning how to approach things and understand why I’m doing what I’m doing.”
“I feel that’s been the main thing for me at the minute – simply finding a better understanding about what I’m doing in there.”
A staple of Conlan’s pro career has been the outstanding sparring he has received and the Boxing Booth Gym is no different.
The Olympic bronze medallist has been doing plenty of rounds with Burnett ahead of the 118lbs king’s WBSS quarter-final versus Nonito Donaire in Glasgow on November 3rd.
Conlan, who beat Burnett as an amateur, is grateful for the work.
The 2015 World and European Amateur champion described how “Ryan and I are team-mates and friends. When we’re in there working, we’re always benefitting each other. It’s great to be sparring with him.”
“Ryan has great speed. He’s a double world champion and a very experienced professional fighter. No matter who you are, you have to learn every day. He learns from being in with me and vice-versa.”
“We learn off each other and learn off watching others. It’s great having team-mates like Ryan and Josh Kelly in the gym.”
