Olympic bronze medalist Michael Conlan could fight Vladimir Nikitin again in Belfast later this summer.
Nikitin defeated Conlan in the quarter-finals of the 2016 Olympic Games in what was largely viewed as a one-sided beating in Conlan’s favour with Nikitin forced to withdraw from the semi-finals due to injuries sustained in the bout.
Conlan snapped after the defeat and went on a now famous rant during an interview with RTE.
SOURCES: Michael Conlan will meet Vladimir Nikitin on August 3 in Belfast in a rematch of their controversial bout from the 2016 Olympic Games. The 10-round featherweight bout will be streamed on ESPN+ and be staged outdoors at Falls Park in Northern Ireland
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) May 13, 2019
Conlan also retweeted a picture from Féile an Phobail that contained the caption: “The Féile an Phobail event space in the Falls Park, with the fantastic backdrop of Belfast’s Black Mountain. This August is going to be massive!”
Nikitin has compiled a 3-0 record since turning professional last summer and signed for Top Rank last year, who also manage Conlan.
Earlier this week Conlan apologised 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.
“I wasn’t listening to what anyone was singing – I was focused on my opponent and doing my job. 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.”
