Michael Conlan has apologised for his choice of walkout song in Madison Square Garden earlier this year.
Conlan was met with criticism for his use of The Wolfe Tones’ song Celtic Symphony as he made his way to the ring for the first defence of his WBO Inter-Continental featherweight title on St. Patrick’s Day.
The song, which includes the lyrics ‘ooh ah up the RA’ provoked an angry reaction from several unionist politicians and three months on from the fight, Conlan has apologised to those he offended.
“I misjudged the reaction and to the people I offended I definitely apologise,” Conlan told BBC Sport.
HERE. COMES. CONLAN. 🇮🇪
Watch @mickconlan11 take on Ruben Garcia Hernandez on E+ @trboxing: https://t.co/onyydxhdsI #ConlanHernandez pic.twitter.com/o61HM9LlQH
— ESPN (@espn) March 18, 2019
At the time, Conlan’s promoter Bob Arum addressed the controversy by telling critics to “get over it because the Troubles are over.”
But having spoken about the issue with his team, Conlan has now promised that he will not be using that walkout song again.
“I wasn’t listening to what anyone was singing – I was focused on my opponent and doing my job,” Conlan continued.
“It was a misjudgement by me and we’ll not be using the music again. I’ve learned that I’m a role model, I’m under the microscope and things like this are not good for boxing.
“To those people [who were offended] I meant no offence at all.
“Boxing is a sport that brings people together. I always want to be part of that and going forward I will be a part of that completely.”
Arum is expected in Belfast next week, when he will announce Conlan’s next fight at Falls Park as part of Féile an Phobail.
