Callum Walsh takes New York baton from Michael Conlan this weekend

Callum Walsh will take over from Michael Conlan and become the main Irish man in New York on St Patrick’s weekend.

The Cork light middleweight will top another UFC Fight Pass broadcast bill at Madison Square this coming Friday night.

The fast-tracked Freddie Roach-trained fighter will trade leather with Dauren Yeleussinov, the older brother of Olympic, and World Championship gold medal winner Daniyar Yeleussinov in what is another progressive step forward for the Cobh prospect.

Walsh will take centre stage at the Theatre kicking off massive Irish celebrations in a city that loves to go green. 

The Irish Boxing Award Fighter of the Year nominated boxer fought in Boston last St Patrick’s weekend and topped an MSG bill in November, where he defeated Ismael Villarreal in a genuine step up.

The 360 Promotions southpaw will be hoping for a similarly noteworthy win when he puts his WBC silver title on the line in what is said will be his last fight before a homecoming.

Irish Boxing legend Conlan used the same venue and time of the year to help grow his name internationally. The two-time world title challenger and Olympic medal winner debuted on top of a card at Madison Square Garden and had five fights there, three of which were on St Patrick’s weekend.

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Top Rank had designs on promoting the Belfast fighter there every March until the pandemic hit and it’s said Matchroom would have brought Conlan back to the venue to fight Josh Warrington if he had defeated Jordan Gill in December.

However, as it stands Walsh takes up the mantle and there is a pathway for him to become synonymous with St Patrick’s Day in the Big Apple.

Feargal McCrory will also appear on the UFC Fight Pass broadcast bill as will Joe Ward, while Emmet Brennan registered a victory there last Thursday night and has his heart set on returning in a title fight later this year.