Mick Conlan expecting “acid test” from Adeilson Dos Santos

Mick Conlan [7(5)-0] is only too happy in the knowledge that ‘acid test’ Adeilson Dos Santos will come to Belfast to win.

Conlan makes his pro Irish debut on Saturday June 30th and takes a step up on what promises to be a brilliant card at the SSE Odyssey Arena.

Considering the possible homecoming headliner pressure, the 2012 and 2016 Olympian may have been forgiven for taking an easier bout but the Belfast fighter will take on a recent world title challenger with an impressive knockout percentage.

The Adam Booth trained fighter is aware his Brazilian foe carries power, is dangerous and will be coming to ruin the party – but that’s the way he likes it.

The Top Rank fighter has been left frustrated recently by negative opponents – most recently and notably Ibon Larrinaga – and it seems he’s believes Dos Santos [19(15)-4(2)] will provide him with the chance to entertain.

At the very least the younger brother of former world title challenger Jamie Conlan is happy he is facing a fighter that will ask questions.

The South American has won numerous titles domestically and last year challenged for the WBO super bantamweight titles, being blasted out by the recently deposed Jessie Magdaleno.

“I expect him to come trying to win,” Conlan told Boxing Insider.

“He’s got good power and he’s dangerous but he’s been beaten in the past and he knows what the feels like. I think he’ll be expecting to feel it again but he’ll put it on me and try and take it away from me because he may see this as his platform to get back into the mix.

“I’m not saying he’s a warrior but I am expecting a tough test from him because, after all, this is my eighth fight and it is a good step up from my recent opposition.”

“So I am expecting a tough fight and an early-on acid test to see where I’m at now and that’s what it is because there’s an awful lot riding on this – it is a test, it’s in Belfast and if it all goes wrong, it all goes wrong.”

“I am prepared, I’m not underestimating anybody and I know he’s a tough guy who comes in and fights to win. He’s got power so I am very aware of that.”

Having come from elite amateur level Conlan has been left frustrated by the lack of ambition shown by his opponents to date.

The Belfast fighter is keen to entertain and feels the survival first tactics used by his early foes doesn’t allow him to put on a show.

Larrinaga was touted to be a test, but the Spaniard retreated into his shell after shipping a few heavy shots in the opening round of their clash in New York earlier this month

“[Negative opposition] is something that really annoys me,” admitted Conlan.

“But at the end of the day I can’t complain because I’ve watched these guys pre-fight and I’m going ‘okay this guy is going to give me a test’ and against other opposition he’s going forward, he’s trying to win the fight and they’re doing a job, winning fights and they actually look like they’re game and ready to go.”

“But then, when these guys have stepped in the ring [with Conlan], they’ve kind of shied away, they’ve got too nervous, the atmosphere has maybe tripped them up and I think that’s what has happened so far.”

Read Conlan’s interview with Oliver McManus in full here.