Arum: In 5 Years, Conlan-Stevenson Will Be New Age Hagler-Hearns

Back in September 2016, after the controversy of the Olympics, Michael Conlan announced that he was joining Bob Arum's Top Ranks promotions as he launched a professional career.

The Belfast boxer and 2012 Olympic bronze medallist will make his pro debut on Friday night at the Theater in Madison Square Garden against Tim Ibarra (4-4).

The signs point to the start of a memorable pro career for the talented boxer.

During an interview with Off The Ball, the renowned promoter spoke about how he signed Conlan and his ambitions for the 25 year old going forward.

"Like everybody else we watched the Olympics. We saw that this extraordinarily talented young Irish lad got screwed by the politics in amateur boxing and felt that when he turned pro, we would love to handle his career because he could be a major international boxing star," he said.

 "We knew Matthew Macklin. He had fought in the United States, he had become friendly with us and we arranged a deal to sign Mick. We're very, very happy and we're looking forward to his pro debut in Madison Square Garden on St Patrick's Day."

Arum also added that they immediately saw how "media friendly" Conlan was in terms of his natural charisma.

"If he was just an ordinary plodding fighter who got screwed on a decision in Olympic boxing, that wouldn't be unusual because that happens all the time. But here was this bright light, this tremendous young man taken advantage of," said Arum referencing what happened to Conlan at the Olympics.

"So we knew that if he signed with us, we can make his professional career into something special and not only make him into a boxing champion but an international sports star."

And he is confident that Conlan, coupled with his confident personality and supreme skill, can carve his name into the annals of boxing history by the end of his career.

Arum also predicted that one day, Conlan and fellow Top Rank signing Shakur Stevenson, who captured a Olympic silver medal for the United States last year, will do battle in a colossal fight in the future. Stevenson is set to turn pro next month.

"You're damn right, I'm looking forward to the careers of Shakur Stevenson and Mick Conlan. And five years from now, I'm going to have my version in this new Millennium of the Hearns-Leonard fight."