“If you’re here, you’re here for a reason and that’s to become champion of the world.”
This is supposed to be Michael Conlan “enjoying himself”.
When his manager Matthew Macklin turned down the opportunity for the Belfast boxer to appear on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s win over Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas at the start of the month, his advice was for Conlan to relax until after Christmas and then get on it come January.
But the 25-year-old obviously doesn’t know the definition of letting up.
Conlan spent his birthday watching Andre Ward beat Sergey Kovalev on points in what was a real classic, despite his doubts at first.
With Virgil Hunter pre fight. Can't wait for the fight later, who you all got?? I've got Ward by points in a boring fight!! #WardKovalev pic.twitter.com/s5tIAX7oAG
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) November 19, 2016
That seems to be the only downtime the former Olympian has allowed himself over in America. Conlan will move to Los Angeles in January ahead of his professional debut on March 17, a St. Patrick’s Day showdown in Madison Square Garden.
And he visited Rock Gym to check out his new home and new trainer Manny Robles.
Second day training with @manuel.boxing I think I've found my new home here at the Rock Gym! pic.twitter.com/KnlVxgy6oO
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) November 17, 2016
Robles already hosts Conlan’s former teammate Jason Quigley and the Donegal man is clearly excited at the imminent arrival of the bantamweight, saying:
“Iron sharpens iron.”
Apparently Quigley already has Robles speaking in Irish slang so Conlan’s Belfast accent should be no problem for the Mexican and the pair are said to have hit it off already.
“I can see he’s a good kid, he’s a humble kid,” Robles said.
“He wants to learn and he wants to become a world champion for Ireland.”
Robles already has two world champions in and around Conlan’s weight division with Oscar Valdez and Jessie Magdaleno so they won’t be short of decent sparring partners either.
Check out how sharp he already looks on day one.
Video by Darragh Bambrick.
What’s he going to be like come March 17? Professional boxing, are you ready for Michael Conlan?
Aaron Kernan joins Colm Parkinson on The GAA Hour to explain the work he’s doing for the Club Players Association. Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue talks Slaughtneil and a Dublin club advertising for hurlers gets a sore touch. Subscribe here on iTunes.
