Conlan: I want to be first Irish male amateur World champion

Micheal Conlan isn’t one for basking in glory.

Not long after he took position at the top of the European Championship bantamweight podium and had a gold medal draped around his neck the Belfast man set his sights on his next challenge.

The talented Irish puncher, who has already qualified for the Olympics set for Rio in 2016 via the WSB, was keen to look forward and didn’t spend too much time reflecting on his most recent achievement.

Conlan has the World championships in Doha in his sights and is confident he can become Ireland’s first male World amateur champion.

“I’m going for the gold (in Doha), I want to be the first Irish male boxer to win a World Elite title and I’m confident I can do that,” said Conlan before discussing his unanimous decision (30-27,30-27,29-28) victory over Qais Ashfaq.

“It wasn’t my best performance (Saturday’s final), but it was my best performance at the tournament. Delighted to have won the gold medal as I won silver at the last Europeans.”