By Steve Kim
A couple of days ago Top Rank announced the signing of two-time Irish Olympian, Michael 'Mick' Conlan to a promotional deal. Conlan is considered to be a talented and marketable fighter.
"He's a terrific guy, a terrific kid, a great personality, a terrific fighter," said veteran promoter, Bob Arum. "I think we can really make him into a big, big star in the professional ranks.
According to Arum, Conlan will make his pro debut in early 2017 in the States. But he will be promoted in both America and in Europe.
''We have a lot of friends in England and Ireland that we will be working with, that's no problem. Both Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn, in particular,"said Arum, who has staged cards before in Conlan's home country."I've promoted fights in Belfast where he comes from. I've promoted fights in Dublin."
Last month during the Olympic Games in Rio, Conlan made worldwide headlines after blasting Olympic boxing body AIBA and claiming they were 'corrupt' in an expletive-laden rant at the judging after losing to Russia's Vladimir Nikitin in the quarter-finals.
Saying he had been robbed of a rightful win, and vowing never to fight again in any AIBA-organized competition, the world champion also accused Russia of influencing judges.
Top Rank had great success in the last Olympic cycle in which they signed the likes of Vasyl Lomachenko, Oscar Valdez, Felix Verdejo and Jose Ramirez. This time around they are once again not afraid to ink foreign boxers to contracts, having also signed Brazilian gold medalist Robson Conceicao.
"Our world is expanding," stated Arum. "And we are always looking at a global sport."
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
