Chief Support Conlan looking to make big statement on Loma-Rigo bill

Mick Conlan is keen to make an impression on one of the biggest cards of the uyear tomorrow night.

The Belfast featherweight is targeting a big undercard win on the massive Vasyl Lomachenko v Guillermo Rigondeaux bill in New York on Saturday night

Conlan [4(4)-0] insists that he will grab his opportunity at The Theater at Madison Square Garden with both gloves when he fights in the chief-support bout to the WBO super featherweight title clash between Top Rank stablemate Lomachenko and Cuban maestro Rigondeaux.

The undefeated Belfast featherweight fights for the fifth time in nine months, and returns to the scene of his unprecedented debut last March.

Conlan’s six-round bout with Argentina’s Luis Fernando Molina [7(2)-3(0)-1] will be the co-feature at the famous New York venue just ahead of the much-hyped showdown between double Olympic gold medallists Lomachenko and Rigondeaux.

A sell-out crowd of over 5,000 will be in attendance in the Felt Forum with a large contingent of Irish fans again travelling over to support Conlan

Millions are expected to watch the ESPN TV broadcast Stateside [the card will be shown on BoxNation on this side of the Atlantic] and the 2015 World Amateur champion knows he has a massive platform to impress.

“I feel I deserve this opportunity, 100 per cent, because it’s the same arena I sold out on my debut,” said Conlan.

“I’m here on the same card as two of the greatest pound-for-pound amateurs ever – on their undercard in the same venue I sold out on my debut – but I know there’s reason for having me on this bill because Top Rank know I can sell it. It’s great to be on it, but I know why I’m on it – because I can sell seats!”

“And I know I have to impress when I’m fighting on such a big stage and when Top Rank are backing me to do the business. I’ll win and I’ll win in style on Saturday.”

The 26 year old has moved up in weight to campaign at featherweight – alongside stablemate and future rival Shakur Stevenson who also features on the bill tomorrow.

His first fight at the higher weight saw him stop Kenny Guzman in the third round of their fight in Arizona in September and Conlan feels he is ready to deliver another knockout against the never-been-stopped Molina.

“I’m feeling good and I’m feeling strong,” said Conlan. “I’m making it easy this time, so it’s all good. I’ve learnt from my last few camps and I’ve had no problems at all this time around.

“I just can’t wait to get in the ring and deliver on the night. It’s a great shop window with ESPN showing my fight live ahead of the main event in the States, so I’m out to make a statement.”