Mick Conlan “delighted” as Shakur Stevenson joins him at Top Rank

Circumstances may have prevented them meeting in the Olympic semi finals, but a potential pro meeting between Mick Conlan and Shakur Stevenson has just become more likely.

Olympic silver medalist Stevenson last night signed with Top Rank, becoming a promotional stablemate of Belfast man Conlan.

The pair had been on course to meet in Rio at the last four stage, only for Conlan to be eliminated in the quarter finals following a hugely controversial defeat to Russian Vladimir Nikitin.

Pre-existing injuries exponentially worsened by Conlan then led to Nikitin withdrawing from his bout with Stevenson in the semis, handing the American a walkover route to the final. Here he would be defeated by Cuban maestro Robeisy Ramirez, who defeated Conlan at the semi final stage in London four years previously.

Stevenson, who had seemed set to link up with Mayweather Promotions, has now joined Conlan in being promoted by U.S. giant Top Rank – meaning that a future bout between the two will be a lot easier to make.

Conlan is delighted to see the New Jersey teenager enter the pro ranks, and told Irish-Boxing.com that “I’m delighted he’s signed with Top Rank, it means our fight that never happened in Rio now has a great possibility of happening – with some time for it to build and grow into something special.”

“Hopefully by the time it happens we are fighting for a title, or titles, and for a lot of money.”

“Congratulations Shakur.”