Qais Asfaq aiming for Conlan revenge in Rio

British bantamweight Qais Asfaq is confident that he will exert revenge over Michael Conlan should the pair meet again next month at the Rio Olympics.

Belfast’s Conlan has twice beaten the Leeds fighter in major finals over the past two years with the Clonard man prevailing in the deciders of the Commonweath Games and European Championships in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

While both wins were via unanimous decisions for Conlan, Asfaq took umbrage with the second loss in Samokov, and would love to make amends in Brazil.

The Englishman believes he has improved exponentially over the past few years and is confident of besting Conlan if they renew hostilities in Rio, telling SportsMole that “we are another year on and hopefully this time I will get the decision.”

“He has had some trouble with me in our two fights.”

“The first fight at the Commonwealth Games, I will admit he beat me fair and square, but the second time a lot of people thought that I had won the fight and that just shows how much I have improved.”

The 23 year old is currently ninth favourite for gold with Paddy Power at 33/1, but feels that he can top the podium should he box to his best, explaining that “gold is my aim, without a doubt.”

“I have always felt, and I know in my own heart, that I can beat anyone on the right day, as long as I perform to my ability.”