Michael Conlan’s promoter has responded to the criticism over the Belfast fighter’s choice of walkout song on Sunday night.
Conlan made his way to the ring on St. Patrick’s night to The Wolfe Tones’ song Celtic Symphony, which includes the lyrics ‘ooh ah up the RA’ and several unionist politicians reacted angrily to his choice of song in New York.
Conlan moved to 11-0 with his dominant victory over Ruben Garcia Hernandez and he is now targeting revenge against former Olympic rival Vladimir Nikitin in the pro ranks.
Top Rank founder Bob Arum, whose decision to offer Conlan a professional contract in 2016 is paying dividends with the Belfast boxer’s seamless transition from the amateur realm, was recently asked about Conlan’s walkout song and responded by telling critics to “get over it because the Troubles are over.”
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
“Mick certainly didn’t want to offend anybody with the tune he used for his ringwalk in the Garden,” Arum said, via the Belfast Telegraph.
“I know he has received criticism for what he came out to but I think people need to get over it because the Troubles are over. People need to move on but the songs and chants on both sides still stir the blood and the people in the arena went nuts when they heard it and I haven’t seen enthusiasm like that for a long time. But I’m an American, so maybe my view doesn’t count.
“I understand it can be a sensitive issue but it was not done to cause offence and here in the States everyone is just commenting on what a great atmosphere it was and what a great production.”
