Conlan avenges amateur defeat
By Bill Tibbs
Featherweight Michael Conlan (13-0, 7 KO’s) got a degree of revenge by beating former amateur foe Vladimir Nikitin (3-1, 0 KO’s) via unanimous decision over 10 rounds Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Nikitin was game, and showed some boxing skills along with his brawling style, but Conlan was the clear winner across the board. Niktin tried to rough up Conlan throughout the contest, but the determined Irishman, who had been waiting for three years to avenge his ridiculous Olympic defeat, countered successfully.
The first few rounds were close. Conlan was boxing well, but Niktin was applying pressure and scoring with right hands. Conlan pulled away later in the fight, though he, as well as Niktin, were bleeding.
All three judges had Conlan winning by scores of 98-92, 99-91 and 100-90. Conlan hopes to secure a title shot in the next 12 months.