Jamie Conlan forced to fight for spotlight

Undefeated Belfast super-flyweight Jamie Conlan returns to the ring tonight, co-headlining a professional card at Dublin’s National Stadium as he builds towards a world-title shot. Even in fight week, the 29-year-old has been forced to compete with his younger brother for attention, however.

Sat, 07 Nov, 2015 - 00:00

Ciarán Gallagher

Michael Conlan’s success in becoming the first Irishman to claim a world amateur gold medal at senior level in Doha last month has added to the usual pre-Olympic cycle of renewed interest in Irish boxing. The bandwagon jumping was evident this week as numerous media outlets reported on the younger Conlan’s eagerness to turn professional after Rio 2016, despite the fact that he has stated that intention numerous times over the past four years since London 2012.

Still, Jamie, the elder Conlan brother, maintains he isn’t perturbed by the fact he has to compete for the spotlight.

“Of course I want to progress, and seeing him [Michael] do well makes me want to do well, but I’ve always said when he has his success that I was more proud of him than with anything I’ve ever done,” said Jamie.

Undefeated as a pro in 14 fights, Jamie Conlan is gaining momentum under the promotional wing of world middleweight title contender Matthew Macklin’s Gym Marbella (MGM) where the Belfast native also trains.

The 29-year-old recorded a gutsy victory over Mexican Junior Granados last July, getting up off the canvas twice to win, and he headlines his second show tonight, taking on Adrian Dimas Garzon.

The Argentine carries a losing record of 10-18, but it is a keep-busy bout as Conlan prepares for a world-title eliminator against Paul Butler in the new year.

“You have to make the statement you are a class above,” said Conlan on tonight’s bout. “You see it a lot that people are brought down to the level of the opposition but I have to keep making statements.

“The last fight I made a statement by showing I could fight, come back and I’ve got a big heart. This time I have to show my class and make a statement that I can do the job the way I should be doing it.”

The co-headline event sees Dubliner Dean Byrne clash with Galway-born Peter McDonagh for the vacant Irish welterweight title, while another domestic dust-up sees cruiserweights Michael Sweeney and Ian Tims clash in a rematch of their 2011 clash.