Conlan Hopes For 'Dream Fight' With Carl Frampton in The Future

By Victor Salazar

New York - When Top Rank signed up Irish Olympian Michael Conlan, following his controversial loss in the 2016 Rio Olympics, the plan was almost seemingly too easy; setting up a talented Irish fighter in New York on St. Patrick’s Day as a recurring theme.

The first step to that plan takes place on March 17th when Conlan makes his debut inside the Theatre of Madison Square Garden.

"I think St. Paddy’s Day will be a tradition going forward for me here in New York,” Conlan told BoxingScene.com. “Maybe not next year but the year after we’ll sell out the Garden for a world title fight, that’s the goal.”

Signing a promotional agreement with Top Rank was a no-brainer to Conlan because of their track record with Olympians.

“If you look at the track history of guys from the amateurs, Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather, they’ve made guys into superstars,” stated Conlan. “I spoke to my manager and he told me I would probably regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t sign with Top Rank.”

Conlan will start his career at a 122 pounds and will likely go as high as 130, where he hopes one of his country’s heroes will be around to make a mega-fight should his career pan out the way he hopes.

Conlan aims to secure an eventual showdown with current WBA super featherweight world champion Carl Frampton, who takes on Leo Santa Cruz in a Showtime televised rematch this coming Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I think super featherweight will definitely be as high as I go. I’ll probably be a lot stronger as I go up and hopefully.. maybe there’s still be a dream fight with Carl Frampton. I’m a bit far off to making that fight. Carl’s a hero back home and a great champion, definitely in the future it’d be great. That fight would be too big for an arena. It would be massive for the country.”