Conlan off to flyer with stunning win in Baku

MICHAEL CONLAN got Ireland off to a flying start at the World Boxing Championships in Baku yesterday when he thrashed European bronze medallist Alexandr Riscan (Moldova) 25-12 in a thrilling flyweight contest.

The 19-year-old Belfast man, who boxes out of the famed St John Bosco club, scored with some brilliant combinations, solid left hooks while, all the time, working overtime with his jab.

And while Olympic qualification may still be a bit away for Conlan, this performance left IABA president Tommy Murphy ecstatic.