Michael Conlan says no to huge Manny Pacquiao undercard for a more Irish pro debut

Michael Conlan's debut won't be in Ireland, but his manager insists the pugilist will return to Irish shores for a regular annual fight date.

Shortly after fellow Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes made his move to the pro leagues, Conlan announced he had signed for Top Rank promotions run by legendary promoter Bob Arum. His manager, former European middleweight champion Matthew Macklin revealed to RTE that the former world amateur champion had signed a six-fight minimum deal with the organisation and although he would be predominately based in the States, one of those bouts will happen in Ireland. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/777982298704805888?lang=en Macklin explained that Top Rank wanted their new star to debut on the undercard for Manny Pacquiao's highly-anticipated return bout on a 5 November card. The event is sure to attract a lot of eyes because it will mark Pac-Man's first fight since his brief retirement from the sport.

“They wanted him initially to box on 5 November on the Manny Pacquiao card, but we explained that the last four years have been pretty hectic - building up to the Europeans and Worlds [championships], Commonwealth Games and Olympics and everything."

However, Conlan and co turned down that offer in order to prepare for another huge card set to go down in New York's iconic Madison Square Garden on St Patrick's weekend.

“So we said, ‘enjoy yourself between now and Christmas, then get the head down in January and then make your debut on Paddy’s weekend’. That’s the real beginning then."

“It’s not set in stone, but that’s what they’re looking at. The pinnacle of my career was fighting Martinez there and now he’s making his debut there!”

If Conlan gets his wish, it will ensure that there will be a feast of Irish sport on Paddy's weekend as the fight would likely follow the potentially decisive Six Nations encounter between Ireland and England in the Aviva Stadium. We review a crazy All-Ireland final and chat to Lee Keegan about his special relationship with Diarmuid Connolly. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.