“New and improved” Mick Conlan promising best ever display on Madison Square Garden return

Mick Conlan is planning to look his best yet when he returns to The Garden for his first fight under Adam Booth next month.

Belfast featherweight Conlan [5(4)-0] will fight at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Saturday March 17th for the third time following two successful appearances in the Big Apple last year.

As well as being his first fight of the year, it will be his first with ‘The Dark Lord’ and the Top Rank prospect is confident his new setup will help him produce a display that will trump his victories over Argentinian Luis Molina and Colorado’s Tim Ibarra.

Having relocated to London to work with the man that played a vital role in Andy Lee and Ryan Burnett’s world title success the MTK-managed Olympic bronze medalist feels he is ready to show improvements and put in a career-best performance in front of 5000 fans.

“The first few weeks with Adam have been great,” said Conlan. “I feel like I’m learning all the time and even though we haven’t been working together long I think it will be a new and improved version of me that steps into the ring on St Patrick’s Day.

“I’m looking forward to starting sparring now because I’m learning little things that I want to try in the ring,” added the 2015 World Amateur champion, who joins unified bantamweight champion and fellow Belfast man Burnett under Booth.

Other fighters in the gym include Limerick’s former WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee, Charlie Edwards, and Josh Kelly.

“The winning mentality in that gym is great,” said Conlan. “Everyone is pushing each other and everyone wants to be the best – but not in a bad way – it’s a good, friendly rivalry in the gym where you’re being pushed all the time.”

While 26-year-old Conlan has relocated from LA to London following an amicable split with his old coach, Manny Robles, the Falls Road native is eagerly anticipating his return to the US for his sixth pro bout.

“I boxed in the Garden a couple of months ago, but it’s nearly a year now since my debut and I’d love to replicate that night – the buzz and the atmosphere,” noted Conlan.

“It’s an amazing venue and I feel like it’s a second home. I’m looking forward to getting back there and putting on a great show for all my fans.”