Michael Conlan vs. Diego Alberto Ruiz - 3 August 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

Michael Conlan (11-0, 6 KOs) will take on WBC Latino Silver featherweight king Diego Alberto Ruiz (21-2, 10 KOs) in the cauldron of Féile an Phobail on August 3.

Belfast hero Conlan defends his WBO Inter-Continental strap in the city’s Falls Park when he faces dangerous Argentinian Ruiz - live on BT Sport in association with Queensberry Promotions and on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank.

Conlan, who had originally been slated to face former Olympic rival Vladimir Nikitin only for the Russian to withdraw citing a bicep injury, is delighted at the news of a step up in level for his third 10-rounder.



> Conlan said: “The show goes on. A bigger fight is happening. A harder fight is happening. A better performance will happen. My motivation and mindset haven’t changed.

“I’ve got a high-class fighter ranked highly in the world. I’m expecting him to cause me more problems than what Nikitin could have caused me.

“Maybe, once I’m world champion, I might give Nikitin a shot but for now I’m moving on because it was more stalling my career than advancing it in terms of the level I’m at.

“Facing a higher level of opponent is better for me. I want to push on towards world titles and big, big fights and I have to start going through the gears now.”

Ruiz said: “This is the biggest fight of my career and a great opportunity to prove myself as a fighter. I fought June 1, and I am going to be ready for whatever Michael brings.

“It won’t be an easy fight, but it is not an impossible task. I am not scared to fight on the road. That is my motivation because the pressure will be on him.”

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Conlan v Ruiz capacity pushed to over 10,000 as more tickets are added

Organisers of the landmark event have restructured plans for the temporary arena in order to accommodate more fans with in excess of 10,000 are now set to provide a unique atmosphere in Belfast’s Falls Park.

As millions more prepare to tune in to broadcasts on BT Sport in association with allegedly and ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, anticipation is already hitting fever pitch.

Professional Development Coordinator Jamie Conlan said: “The demand for this event has been even greater than we originally imagined and we’re delighted to be able to offer even more fans the chance to witness history.

“It all goes to show what a great place boxing in Belfast is in and the fact that so many people have snapped up these tickets guarantees a very, very special night on August 3.

“As well as fantastic support from the locals, we’ve been thrilled by the wider appeal the event is having across the world. It will be a truly international event with fighters, media and supporters from all four corners of the globe.”

Topping a sensational card is world-ranked Michael Conlan (11-0, 6 KOs) – a former world amateur champion – back in his hometown to take on dangerous Argentinian Diego Alberto Ruiz (21-2, 10 KOs).

A stellar undercard stars eye-catching match-ups between Luke Keeler and Luis Arias, Alfredo Meli and Araik Marutjan, a British & Commonwealth welterweight title clash between Paddy Gallagher and Chris Jenkins and a Celtic super-middleweight title bout between Padraig McCrory and Steve Collins Jr.

On the undercard, elite local talent Sean McComb heads up a level against France’s famously durable and entertaining Renald Garrido and there are also slots on the big stage for Olympic hero Paddy Barnes, Callum Bradley, Seanie Duffy and Dee Sullivan.

Tickets

https://www.ticketmaster.ie/michael-con ... B0E8846604

[brilo33]

expect michael to win , not the most intriguing fight , but mick is still fairly young to get away with a few more 70/30 fights , i still wouldnt rush him , there is some quailty in that weight

[KiwiRider]

Jenkins Gallagher might be a good one too.
As for Conlan, pretty decent fight for a guy in his 12 pro outing.

[Ruthless-RKO]

fight week.

[handsofstone]

When is Conaln gonna actually step up? His career bores me, he's winning pretty much everything but his opponents have been dire so far, Hernandez last time was piss poor and this fella Ruiz doesn't look much better on paper, his records awful, maybe Arum knows that Conlan isn't ready for a breakout fight just yet, Cunningham and Dos Santos are his best wins

He's obviously a skilled boxer, you don't achieve what he has as an amateur without knowing how to box but as a pro, I don't think he'll have the power or strength to keep the top guys off him, he switch hits constantly but I prefer him orthodox, he's got some nice footwork and picks some nice punches but all in all I think he's took to pro boxing like Barnes, he'll have no issues with Ruiz I'm sure but it wont mean anything


Edit- I forgot Nikitin pulled out

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[coneye]

What do people actyally think of Conlon , personaly i would,nt know , he's a fighter i just could'nt be bothered watching after seeing a couple of his early mismatches , and too be honest , i was,nt impressed enough to think of him has a future top level world class fighter , maybee good european level ,

[Coco]

I don't see Conlan reaching the heights, obvs a good fighter, prob spent too long in the ams, but at the end of the day not world class.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Same as Shakur Stevenson.

[Delta Jay]

Conlan captured the Irish and Irish American audiences in a big way. TR won’t risk him at all. Can’t believe the numbers he does already, imagine in a big title fight against a name.

I think he might be just short of a proper world title holders with good defences and record. Probably get a belt at some point. Said in a different thread that there’s real future in featherweight division.

Luke Keeler on the card, always good to watch.

[Ruthless-RKO]

The fight is part of the Féile an Phobail community arts festival.

Live on BT Sport 1 from 8pm.

What time is the fight on?

Conlan is expected to make his way to the ring at around 11pm on Saturday night.

The fight, the 12th of Conlan's pro career, is scheduled for ten rounds. The 27-year-old Belfast native has a pro record of 11-0 with six of those wins coming via KO.

What fights are on the undercard?

Other fights on the card include:

* Paddy Gallagher vs. Chris Jenkins
* Luke Keeler vs. Luis Arias
* Paddy Barnes vs. Joel Sanchez
* Dennis McCann vs. Georgi Andonov

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Lord Mayor delighted to host Mick Conlan event at Féile an Phobail

Lord Mayor of Belfast John Finucane is honoured to have the city part of a historic event on Saturday when Michael Conlan headlines the huge #MTKFightNight at Féile an Phobail.

Conlan (11-0, 6 KOs) faces Diego Alberto Ruiz (21-2, 10 KOs) in front of around 10,000 fans in a massive outdoor event at Falls Park, live on BT Sport in association with Queensberry Promotions and live on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank.

The fight week festivities kicked off on Wednesday with a big crowd in attendance to witness the open workouts at Belfast City Hall, and the Lord Mayor is delighted to play his part in the extravaganza.

Lord Mayor of Belfast John Finucane said: “I think on Saturday what we’ll see in the Falls Park is an incredible atmosphere. This is a special night for Michael Conlan, but it’s also going to be a special night for Irish boxing in general, and it’s fantastic that we can show our city off not just around Ireland and the UK, but right across America to millions of people through ESPN+.

“This is huge for Belfast. We were at the lawn of the City Hall for the public workout yesterday, and the crowd was extremely impressive.

The public workout starts the beginning of the excitement for the fight on Saturday. We’ll have the press conference and weigh-in as well, but the numbers at those events are going to be completely eclipsed by the amount of fans there this weekend. It’s going to be a brilliant occasion.”

It is a massive card at Falls Park on Saturday, that is main evented by Conlan facing the toughest test of his career so far when he takes on Ruiz.

[NoScoutingReports]

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[liamlion]

Amazing event. Great for East Belfast.

Atmosphere would have been unreal. I see Josh Kelly gave an interview saying he’d never experienced an atmosphere like it.

Conlan is certainly giving back to his community. Good luck to the lad.

[Biglid]

If he took his false teeth out he could make bantam weight

[manchester-mexican]

Amazing event. Great for East Belfast.

Atmosphere would have been unreal. I see Josh Kelly gave an interview saying he’d never experienced an atmosphere like it.

Conlan is certainly giving back to his community. Good luck to the lad.

actually West Belfast

[liamlion]

Amazing event. Great for East Belfast.

Atmosphere would have been unreal. I see Josh Kelly gave an interview saying he’d never experienced an atmosphere like it.

Conlan is certainly giving back to his community. Good luck to the lad.

actually West Belfast

Quite right! Major error on my part!

[brilo33]

Amazing event. Great for East Belfast.

Atmosphere would have been unreal. I see Josh Kelly gave an interview saying he’d never experienced an atmosphere like it.

Conlan is certainly giving back to his community. Good luck to the lad.

it was brilliant atmosphere falls festival yea saw that kelly interview too , with a name like that ,iam shaw he would get on an irish card , funny you had michael say make it 20.000 and have a world tittle fight how wild would that be. and then you have aj v ruiz in saudi no atmosphere no boxing people no nothing , i dont like fights in germany there so quiet shame

[brilo33]

i think conlan is coming along nicely. people are expecting a wrecking ball when he fights ,that aint going to happen,he is an olympian amuter fighter , he is always going to be calculated boxer, i think alberto made it a hard fight to look good in , but conlan never rushed it,which shows he has brain on him he also listen to booth in his corner he said go body he is weak there ,i am not sure how good the oppenent was , but why speed along age is on his side , step up again