Irish Super bantamweight boxer Michael Conlan will fight in Belfast this summer in what will be his first fight on Irish soil as a professional fighter.
The Olympic bronze medalist enjoyed a stellar first year in the pros and quickly compiled a record of six wins, five knockouts and no losses.
Boxing promoter Frank Warren confirmed on his Twitter account on Saturday that Conlan would fight at the SSE Arena on June 30. An opponent has not yet been named.
CONLAN’S COMING HOME 🏠
Delighted to confirm we will be back at the @SSEBelfastArena on June 30th for @mickconlan11’s homecoming LIVE on @btsport in association with @trboxing 🥊
🎟 Ticket details coming soon #TheHomecoming #TheConlanRevolution pic.twitter.com/naNjrfIbaw
— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) April 21, 2018
Conlan said that he feels a need to use this fight as a chance to pay back the fans who have travelled to watch him fight in the United States and that he hopes to fight in Belfast on a more regular basis from here.
“What a huge honour it is for me to box back in my home city,” said Conlan. “I’ve been to an awful lot of huge boxing events around the world, and there are very few that can match the atmosphere the people of Belfast can generate.
“Belfast is a city that loves boxing, and I’m very grateful that I can bring a big show to these shores that I call home.
“I feel I need to pay back all the fans that have been traveling to the U.S., time and time again, to see me fight. This one is for them, and I hope to bring many more fights to Belfast again in the future.”
Frank Warren, who will co-promote the event alongside Conlan’s promoters Top Rank, said that the 26-year-old could follow similar paths to the city’s former world champions Carl Frampton and Wayne McCullough.
“I’m thrilled to be bringing Irish amateur hero Michael Conlan back to his hometown,” Warren said. “The Irish have been desperate to see him in action back home, and on June 30th, they will get the chance to watch one of the best Featherweight prospects in the world in the flesh.
“There is no doubt he has the potential to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Carl Frampton and Wayne McCullough – two of Ireland’s finest. He has made an explosive start to life in the professional code, and I’m predicting fireworks from him on his big homecoming.”
Before he can make his homecoming Conlan will have to first fight Spaniard Ibon Larrinaga at Madison Square Garden in New York next month.
Larrinaga holds a professional record of 10-1 and will be fighting outside of Europe for the first time in his professional career.
