FOR the second consecutive Saturday, Ireland hosts the biggest boxing event of the weekend when one of its favourite sons fights to remain in the world title conversation.
Belfast’s Michael Conlan faces former European champion Jordan Gill in a crossroads fight with massive implications on a feverish domestic featherweight division.
BELFAST BOY
Despite 18 wins in 20 professional starts, Conlan, 32, remains best known for his amateur record.
A former amateur world number one, he’s got a World Championships gold medal and a bronze from London 2012 Olympics in his trophy cabinet at home.
As a pro he’s boxed on huge cards in Las Vegas and New York City, but he’s fallen short twice contesting versions of the world nine-stone title.
He was ahead on all three judge’s scorecards heading into the 12th and final round in March last against Leigh Wood, only to get punched through the ropes in a Fight and Knockout of the Year contender.
And, earlier this year, he failed to capitalise on home advantage against Mexican Luis Lopez who, fresh from dethroning Josh Warrington, dropped Conlan heavy in round five before the towel came in.
A loss against Gill inside the same SSE Arena ring this weekend will spell the end of his immediate title aspirations.
THE THRILL
Gill has also suffered two defeats at the penultimate hurdle in his championship ambitions.
The 29-year-old from Cambridgeshire won his first 23 fights, but suffered his first defeat in 2019 when underdog Mario Tinoco dropped him three times en route to an eighth-round retirement.
Gill bounced back with four wins, culminating in him capturing the European featherweight title in February 2022.
But wily veteran Kiko Martinez also dropped him three times whilst relieving Gill of the prestigious blue belt the following October. Gill hasn’t fought since.
CROSSROADS
Neither man can afford a loss this weekend if they want to stay in the mix near the top of a fluid and exciting nine-stone division.
Both have new corner teams after Conlan split from Adam Booth and Gill from Dave Coldwell respectively.
Neither man can be conserved a puncher, with Gill scoring only eight stoppages in 27 wins as a pro and Conlan nine in 18. And yet both have enough power to command respect.
Technically, Conlan has the more solid foundations. But Gill is thinking fighter who, if he can get his nose ahead, can be hard to suppress.
Home advantage can also be hugely significant.
Conlan missed out in the same room in May, much to the disappointment of the Irish support who came out in droves. But Gill doesn’t carry the same heavy artillery as Lopez.
That means Conlan can start bright and busily. If he can hurt Gill early and force him into his shell, he can make this look easy and run away with a points decision or perhaps even a late stoppage.
But Gill has been written off more than once before. Likewise, if he can get Conlan’s respect early and put some 10s on the judge’s scorecards he can use the expectant Belfast crowd to his advantage.
This is great matchmaking, a true 50-50. But I’m going to side with the underdog to be that little bit fresher and little bit more resourceful down the stretch.
NICK’S TIP
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