Two Summer world title fights for Belfast – Bob Arum wants massive Feile night for Michael Conlan
Bob Arum hopes to deliver Michael Conlan a world title fight in Belfast next August.
The Top Rank boss man is close to confirming a fight between WBO super featherweight world champion Jamel Herring and Carl Frampton for the city in May – and he claims if Conlan wins in Madison Square Garden this Saturday night and then again in March a second world title fight could come to the city in August.
By all accounts work is already underway to ensure the Belfast fighter is another star attraction during Feile an Phobail week.
Having sold out a specifically erected 10,000 seated venue this August the organizers are keen to have Conlan back – and in what could the the ultimate dream scenario ‘Belfast Bob’ is keen to have his charge in a world title fight.
Arum notes the 28-year-old featherweight must overcome Russian Vladimir Nikitin this weekend before navigating a step up on Paddy’s weekend – but if both are achieved Arum will do his best to deliver.
“We are going to try and make that happen,” said Arum of a possible world title fight for Conlan in Belfast.
“Fighting for a world title was the second dream that Mick had when we signed him, and hopefully back in Belfast.
“We obviously can’t determine what happens in the ring, that’s up to Mick, but assuming he does win [on Saturday] we are going to have him back in New York for the St Patrick’s Day celebration, and then hopefully on to a world title in Belfast.”
The Olympic medal winner and World Championships gold medal winner likes the extremely experienced promoters plan, but is determined not to look past Rio redemption and this weekend’s bout.
“It sounds fantastic, but I’m fully focused on Saturday night. I have not underestimated Vladimir Nikitin – that’s where my focus is,” he said.
“I know 2020 is going to be big for me, but I can’t think about that until Vladimir Nikitin is done and finished with, because if I start thinking that far ahead I might miss the step in front of me.
“For all of my career, I have always known what is next before I have finished what is in front of me.”
