Relaxed Conlan ready to put on a show
Michael Conlan [1(1)-0] admits his sparring partners are a lot more talented than the opponents he is facing in the early stages of his career.
However, that doesn’t mean he won’t be fully focused as he takes on Mexican Alfredo Chanez, live on BoxNation and UniMas tonight.
The Top Rank-promoted, MTK-managed super bantamweight knows he has a target on his back and any foe coming to face him will want to hit the bullseye in a bid to change their careers.
“I’m a name so they are going to want to take me out, so I am just going to have to be ready and I am,” said the Belfast fighter.
“The guys I have been sparring are going to be a lot harder than this and that’s the simple truth. I have been sparring world champions and doing well, so I just have to go in there and focus on myself and not the opponent.”
Tonight Chanez represents the second opponent and second fight of Conlan’s career.
The Manny Robles-trained former amateur standout’s first was almost historic in the hype generated and Conlan seemed to enjoy the spot light.
However, he claims the weight of expectation that comes with debuting on the top of a New York bill did have an impact on his performance and he has promised fans a much improved innings tonight.
“There is a lot less pressure this time, so I’m able to just concentrate on the fight and enjoy myself. I don’t have to worry about anything else, worry about the event because last time I had to worry about too many things.
“This time I know there is a lot less pressure, so I have enjoyed it a lot more and I’m just looking forward to producing a good performance now.”
“I did relax last time and enjoy myself, but my performance wasn’t relaxed because I was trying to impress too much.
“This time I’m just focussing on being relaxed and perform, not rush anything.
“Place my shots, don’t just wing them, so I’m really looking forward to this and showing people what I am capable of.”
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Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey speak to Jason Quigley on Episode 5 of The Irish Boxing Show: