"Granados is going to feel the pain," declares Jamie Conlan ahead of his defence of the WBO Inter-Continental super flyweight title at the National Stadium tonight.
Conlan, nicknamed 'The Mexican' because of his aggressive all-action style, is fighting Junior Granados (13-2-1, 8 KOs) from Yucatán, who's not amused to be fighting an Irishman with such a colourful nickname.
"I will show I am the true Mexican and that Jamie is a false Mexican by beating him," he vows.
Conlan's bout is the headline attraction on a bill co-promoted by Matthew Macklin's Gym and Frank Warren. The show, which looks like being a sell-out, will be televised live on Box Nation.
"Hopefully this will be the first of many shows here that will continue television exposure of boxing in Ireland," says Macklin. "Television exposure is crucial to any young fighter's development. You can be the best in the world but if nobody knows who you are you're never going to become a household name and get the big fights that generate big money or bring titles."
Belfastman Conlan (13-0, 8 KOs), who also holds the WBO European title, joined Macklin's company earlier this year. "I'm a different and hungrier fighter now," he says. "(An) eight-week camp in Marbella was a tough time. It's similar to the high performance team. Training wise, we do a lot more sprinting and running. We spar three days a week and the strength and conditioning coach has me fit and ready to go."
Macklin likes what he's been seeing of Jamie in the gym.
"I'm confident he'll win big world titles," he says.
boxing