Mick Conlan plots future Féile Fight Night

Having had a taste of what it’s like to fight in Belfast as a pro, Mick Conlan not only wants seconds but a bigger helping.

The Top Rank starlet fought in his home town for the first time as a pro on the top of an entertaining SSE Odyssey Arena at the end of last month.

Conlan outpointed former world title challenger Adeilson Dos Santos with relative ease and, while there wasn’t fireworks during the fight, the event and sense of occasion made it clear Belfast has room for more than one big name.

The Olympic bronze medal winner will continue to build in America, where the hype is also big, under Bob Arum and co., but Conlan wants more big home nights.

Indeed, Conlan is pushing to go bigger than the 9,000-capacity Odyssey for his Belfast return and wants to upgrade to outdoor fight nights.

Fellow Belfast featherweight Carl Frampton fights next month at Windsor Park, defending his WBO interim belt versus Luke Jackson.

The home of the Northern Irish football team appeals to Conlan, as does the under development Casement Park GAA stadium and a potential festival fight as part of the Féile at the Falls Park.

“I would love a huge fight in Windsor Park in the future, that would be amazing,” Conlan said when speaking to the Irish News.

“Fighting there for a world title, or if Casement Park is up and ready would be amazing.  Even the Falls Park, we were approached last year to do the Féile.”

The Féile an Phobail suggestion is perhaps the most interesting.

Pat Magee ran a big fight night as part of the annual August event back in 2015 with Tommy McCarthy headlining in a big step up versus Courtney Fry.

Future festival fight cards had been mooted but, as of yet, none have materialised – with Olly Murs headlining the event this year.

Conlan thinks he can bridge this gap and, following talks for this year, he is keen to top the even in 2019.

The proud West Belfast man said that “I’m from the Falls Road so for me to fight in the Falls Park would be unreal.”

“It didn’t happen but in the future I would look forward to doing it – next year would be great at the Féile.”

“But if Carl has another big bill at Windsor Park next year I would love to be on it.”