World-ranked featherweight Michael Conlan is hopeful Ruben Garcia Hernandez will come to fight at Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s Day.
The former world amateur champion from Belfast heads back to New York – live on ESPN – alongside MTK Global team-mate Paddy Barnes and believes Hernandez’s ambition could play into his hands.
Conlan (10-0-KO6) said: “I’ve watched Hernandez a few times and he’s an experienced fighter who knows his way around the ring.
“He went the full distance with Nonito Donaire last year so he’s obviously tough and he’s a little different to what I’ve come across before in other ways.
“Hernandez comes with more of a Mexican style than I’ve fought before and there will be times he’ll be in front of me trying to take my head off. It’s just what I’ve been looking forward to!
“I passed my last test with flying colours and I’ll be out to put on an even better performance this time round. This guy’s style will bring out the best in me.”
Conlan, 27, was last in action back in December when he outclassed Jason Cunningham to claim the WBO Inter-Continental featherweight title at Manchester Arena.
IN OTHER NEWS: MTK Global is delighted to announce John Gillies as its new Head of MTK MMA and Colin Heron as its new MTK MMA International Consultant.
Former professional fighters Gillies has cornered in the UFC as well as working with big-name boxers such as David Price; while Heron is the founder and Head Coach of Team Kaobon, which includes UFC superstar Darren Till among many others.
Gillies said of the news: “I’m really excited about this. There’s a gap in the market for this and I can see this becoming an increasing success – especially if MTK MMA becomes as big as the boxing side.
“If we can sign more fighters like Till to the MMA side, it’s going to be massive. I’m looking forward to working with Colin, who’s a pioneer of the sport and had more UFC fighters than anyone in the UK.
“I come from a fighting background. I fought professionally in MMA, boxing, K1 and Thai boxing. Coaching-wise, I’ve also worked with many of the top names.
“I’ve been involved in massive fights in boxing – cornering for David Price against Alexander Povetkin and in huge UFC fights too. I’m looking forward to more big nights in combat sports in this new role.”
