Mick Conlan to make pro decision sooner rather than later

Mick Conlan admits that he needs to strike while the iron is hot in terms of his pro career.

The Belfast bantamweight was probably the most-talked about boxer at the Rio Olympics due to his robbery loss to Vladimir Nikitin and his explosive post-fight interview. However Conlan knows that this crescendo of interest will not have the same longevity as a gold medal would have.

Speaking yesterday at the Team Ireland homecoming in Dublin Airport, Conlan described how “I can’t leave it too long to turn pro because I want to still be remembered.”

“If I had have won gold, you probably would’ve been waiting a bit longer for my decision.”

“I’ll probably make it a bit quicker now, but I still don’t see me fighting this year.”

One avenue that Conlan definitely will not be going down is the AIBA Professional Boxing circuit, which has featured Joe Ward, David Oliver Joyce, and Ray Moylette.

The 24 year old Clonard fighter confirmed that “I was thinking before Rio about the option of APB, but there’s not a chance I’ll be boxing under an AIBA banner ever again.”

Conlan will now take a well-earned holiday with his young family before making his assault on the pro game, where he is convinced he will by a huge success. The Irishman outlined how “for the minute, I’m just going to take some time off, go on holiday, enjoy life with my family.”

“I’m confident I will have a successful future. I’ll put the work in.”

“This [loss v Nikitin] is only going to drive me on.”