Mick Conlan targeting future Josh Warrington clash

Mick Conlan [9(6)-0] admits that IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington is a target of his.

The Leeds boxer defends his world title for the first time on December 22nd at the Manchester Arena where he faces Conlan’s fellow Belfast man Carl Frampton.

A Battle of Belfast between Conlan and Frampton [26(15)-1(0)] had previously been mooted but it has since been categorically ruled out by both.

Warrington, however, appeals to Conlan and the Olympic bronze medallist envisions himself facing the Englishman down the line.

The 2015 World Amateur champion will fight for his pro title, against a to-be-announced British opponent, on the same BT Sport Box Office bill next month and will be paying attention to the main event afterwards.

Conlan is picking Frampton to win but expects a competitive fight and he noted that “another reason that I’m intrigued in the fight is that it’s a scouting mission for me.”

Outlining his thoughts on a fight with ‘The Leeds Warrior’, Conlan described how “win or lose, I would love to face Josh Warrington in the future. Carl and myself are friends so that won’t happen, but I am definitely keeping an eye on Josh.”

“A fight against Josh is something I can see happening and it is going to be some fight between him and Carl.”

“If Josh loses he is still going to come again because he is young enough, hungry, determined, fit and would have the ability to become world champion again if he loses.”

“He is the same age range as me, has the ability to win more world titles and someone I watch.”

Switch-hitter Conlan believes he would get the better of Warrington [27(6)-0] and feels his fighting style is one which suits him.

The Falls Road feather explained how “I would feel confident even though I rate Josh as a fighter. His style is one I love to face and one that brings out the best in my style of boxing.

The Irishman’s stated desire to face Warrington comes following his Top Rank stablemate Shakur Stevenson said similar following his own most recent win.

Any fight though would be, at the very least, over a year away, with Conlan due to take over Madison Square Garden in New York on St Patrick’s Weekend again before perhaps another East Coast appearance and, maybe, a big outdoor fight at the Féile an Phobail in Belfast in August against amateur rival Vladimir Nikitin.