Bob Arum apologizes for IRA song comments

Veteran promoter Bob Arum has apologized for comments made with regard to Michael Conlan entering the ring to IRA songs.

Speaking after Conlan had defeated Vladimir Nikitin in Madison Square Garden on Saturday night the 88-year-old claimed he is was looking forward to the Belfast fighter returning to the ring at the same venue in March.

The 88-year-old said he “gets a kick” from Belfast fighter Michael Conlan entering the ring to an IRA song and added “we’ll maybe play an IRA song to get everybody excited back in Ireland” in relation to a Conlan’s St Patrick’s Day.

“He’s going to do it in the theatre of Madison Square Garden and it’s during the week, St Patrick’s Day … and the whole place will be green and we’ll maybe play maybe an IRA song to get everybody excited back in Ireland,” said the American.

The Top Rank boss has spoken since and said sorry for the comments. He admitted they were ill-informed and Ill-advised, but stressed they were not made with any malicious intent.

“I was making a joke but what I said was spur-of-the-moment, ill-informed and ill-advised,” said Arum.

“I have no excuses.

The promoter who looks set to promote world title fights including Carl Frampton and Michael Conlan in Belfast next Summer added: “As anyone who knows me will tell you, there was nothing malicious whatsoever intended.

“I am proud to represent great fighters such as Michael Conlan and Carl Frampton and I look forward to promoting more shows with our colleagues at MTK Global in the proud city of Belfast.

“Boxing is a sport of hope that brings people together and together, we will strive to facilitate that wherever and whenever possible.”