Mick Conlan has Irish eyes smiling

Saturday night in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in front of 10,000 fans at Falls Park (as part of Belfast’s annual Féile an Phobail summer festival) Irish boxing hero, and former Olympic star, Michael “Mick” Conlan thrilled the hometown faithful with a one-sided victory that may be the start of some great events on the Emerald Isle. When you can draw 10,000 people out for your 12th fight you can probably do some Barry McGuigan-esque digits for a world title fight down the line.

World rated featherweight Michael Conlan (12-0, 7 KO’s) had Irish eyes smiling with a TKO 9 over Diego Alberto “El Profeta” Ruiz (21-3, 10 KO’s). Conlan had Ruiz on the deck from a body shot and the bout was waved off shortly after although in reality the fight was all Conlon, all night. An impressive showing that may see Conlon emerge as a major star in boxing-crazed Ireland if he can capture a world title in the future.

Undercard

Welterweight Chris Jenkins (22-3-2, 8 KO’s) TD 9 over Paddy “Pat-Man” Gallagher (16-6, 10 KO’s).

-Middleweight Luke Keeler (17-2-1, 5 KO’s) UD 10 Luis Arias (18-2-1, 9 KO’s).

-Super middleweight Padraig McCrory (9-0, 4 KO’s) TKO 8 Steve Collins Jr. (14-3-1, 4 KO’s).

-Flyweight Paddy Barnes (6-2, 1 KO) W UD 6 Joel Sanchez (4-7-1, 2 KO’s).