'Vlad it's over - now for Russian': Conlan sets sights on Rio revenge
After win over Brazilian, Belfast boxer wants to face Nikitin
Michael Conlan is eyeing up a revenge fight with Vladimir Nikitin.
He is the Russian who controversially ended the Belfast boxer’s Olympic Gold medal hopes in Rio 2016.
Conlan told Downtown & Cool FM that a St Patrick’s Day fight could be on the cards.
“Listen New York is a special place also,” he said.
“The fight with the Russian is one I long for – no matter who I want to fight in my career, the only one I want is the Russian.”
Meanwhile, it was a homecoming to remember at the SSE on Saturday night after Conlan made it eight pro wins from eight.
He said the atmosphere was electric.
“I couldn’t help but sing along it was soaked into me and it was like, this is Belfast – like every time Carl (Frampton) fights.
“My dream is to fight here all the time.”
Conlan paid tribute to his Brazilian opponent, Adeilson Dos Santos, who he said was a tough to get past.
“I am learning things all the time,” he said. “I was in there with a decent fighter and a former world title challenger who was game as a badger.”