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Big brother Jamie Conlan has words of caution for world title eager Michael Conlan

Jamie Conlan believes his younger brother still has things to learn before stepping up to world level.

Top Rank prospect, Michael Conlan is more than keen to step up to world level in 2020, in fact he believes he is ready right now for some of the world champions around super bantam and featherweight.

The Belfast ticket seller has name dropped IBF featherweight title holder Josh Warrington more than once and wants a world title shot for the annual trip to New York on St Patrick’s weekend.

The Adam Booth trained fighter’s older brother, former world title challenger, Jamie Conlan has never been in doubt with regard to his siblings talent.

He has been telling anyone that would listen how far Michael Conlan would go since the natural talent won his first National Elite title.

The MTK Global Professional Development Coordinator can still be heard lauding his brothers skill set and agrees he has the talent to cause any world champion problems at the present time.

However, he feels there is still some developing to be done and wants Conlan to progress through a few more pro stages before challenging at the top.

“I think everything should be thought about long-term and Mick still has developing to do but he is busting to get off the leash and he wants to go right now,” Jamie Conlan told IFL TV.

“There are more stages to go through and more opponents to tick off but on a sheer technical, skill level, I think Mick is on par if not better than all of them.

“There are things I’ve seen him do in the gym that haven’t been done by anyone else. We haven’t seen it on fight night yet and those are the sort of boxes I want to tick.

“Everyone in the team believes Mick is already world-class and world-level. We want to fight the elite guys.”

Conlan will return to the ring on a big Top Rank promoted ESPN broadcast card on December 14.

A significant step up has been promised which it might provide the World amateur champion with the platform to show he is world title ready or on the verge of a tilt.

Although Vladimir Nikitin is now expected to revealed as his opponent meaning Conlan could finally put the Rio Olympic’s behind him in another profile building fight if not get the chance to register a statement win in terms of world tilts.

The fighter himself claims the opponent hasn’t been confirmed, but regardless of who he faces he believes he is keen to start closing in on the world champs.

“Féile an Phobail was a while ago now. It’s all done and finished and I’m already thinking about what’s next.

“I can’t wait to be out again. I’ve heard a few people mentioned but nothing’s in writing yet and whoever it is, I’ll be ready.

“I’d fight anybody – whether it’s Josh Warrington or any of the other champions. I’m ready and waiting. Once we get December out of the way, we’ll talk about what’s next.”

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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