Mind-Blowing Mick Conlan ring entrance wasn’t older brother Jamie’s “cup of tea”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

With the undoubted skills he has at his disposal, it seems harsh to compare Jamie Conlan [19(11)-0] to Rocky Balboa.

However, when it comes to ring walks, the ‘The Mexican’, whose fights would look more than at home in a Rocky film, is more Italian Stallion than Apollo Creed.

On the other hand, his brother Mick [1(1)-0] has a touch of ‘The Master of Disaster, The King of Sting, The Dancing Destroyer, The Prince of Punch, The Count of Monte Fisto,’ about him.

Debuting on St Patrick’s Day at The Theater at Madison Square Garden, the younger Conlan had an extravagant entrance featuring bagpipes, Irish dancers, numerous songs, and UFC superstar Conor McGregor.

It was certainly a hit with the crowd and the watching TV public, but the Rocky IV Apollo Creed homage wasn’t Jamie’s “cup of tea.”

“The Apollo Creed look was all Mick’s idea,” Jamie explained to Irish-Boxing.com

“He wanted to do the ‘Living in America’ theme and had that in his head for months.”

“Not my cup of tea if I’m honest but he’s completely different to myself,” he added through a smile.

The ring walk, a style of which is rarely seen in America, played a massive part in generating a unique debut atmosphere.

The WBO super flyweight World #2, who generates a unique atmosphere himself, albeit during rather than before his fights, has been on Carl Frampton and Martin Rogan bills and has topped shows at the National Stadium and the Waterfront Hall.

However, he claims the atmosphere before, during, and after the Apollo Creed walk-out was extra special.

“I didn’t expect it to be like that. It was mind-blowing. I haven’t been in an atmosphere like that, ever. Still a week on I can’t get over how amazing it was. Credit must go to the thousands that spent their hard-earned money to travel to New York.”

The celebratory mood could have been put down to the fact it was St Patrick’s Day, and that kegs of beer had been consumed in the hours building up to the clash. Jamie, who lights up brighter when discussing his brother;s fights than his own, however revealed that the excitement continued in the days that followed.

“The reaction was phenomenal. He couldn’t walk down the street in New York when we were going shopping and for food. He had queues of people looking for pictures; Irish, Americans, Hispanics, all ages as well.”

“He has serious potential to be a crossover star, but I’m looking forward to seeing him back to work and learning in the gym. This is the start of big things ahead.”