BoxRec

Three days after Shakur Stevenson vs. Marriaga , Irish featherweight Michael “Mick” Conlan will make his annual St. Patrick’s Day pilgrimage at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in a 10-rounder against hard-charging Colombian veteran Belmar Preciado.

Conlan-Preciado and a 10-round female super featherweight showdown between the unbeaten Mikaela Mayer and former featherweight world champion Melissa Hernandez will stream live in English and Spanish on ESPN+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Arum excited at seeing Stevenson and Conlan back in action

“What a great two nights of boxing on ESPN and ESPN+, as we get to see Shakur Stevenson defend his title against the big-punching Marriaga and Mick Conlan continue one of boxing’s great traditions,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “New York is going to turn out in force to watch two of boxing’s great young stars.”

Conlan not overlooking Preciado

Conlan (13-0, 7 KOs) has made Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden his professional home, as he turned pro in front of a sold-out St. Patrick’s Day crowd there back in 2017. In the years since, he has graduated from prospect to contender, as he’s the No. 1 contender for the title held by Stevenson.

He went 3-0 in 2019, including a decision win in December over Olympic nemesis Vladimir Nikitin. Preciado (20-2-1, 13 KOs) will be making his third ring appearance outside of his native Colombia, and he has won two in a row since a KO loss to former world title challenger Hiroshige Osawa.

“I’m honored to return to the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden, and fight for the fourth straight St. Patrick’s Day,” Conlan said. “I know how tough Preciado is, but this fight is a great test as I continue on my path towards becoming a world champion."

Conlan wants to make New York fans remember him

“Fighting in New York City is very special for me. The fans have been very supportive right from the beginning at my pro debut on St. Patrick’s Day in 2017, and I look forward to putting on another tremendous show for them this year.”

“The fans will be there to see Conlan, but mark my words, they will remember me,” Preciado said. “I am more than just another ‘opponent.’ When I win, I won’t be surprised. I am prepared for a hard 10 rounds.”

Mayer (12-0, 5 KOs), who turned pro in August 2017 after representing the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has been dominant in the paid ranks. One of the 130-pound division’s top contenders, she last fought Oct. 26 on the Shakur Stevenson-Joet Gonzalez undercard, knocking out Alejandra Zamora in six rounds.

Hernandez (23-7-3, 7 KOs), winner of four of her last five, won the WBC female featherweight world title in 2012. Last April, she dominated then-unbeaten Selina Barrios over eight rounds.

Mayer enthused at fighting on St. Patrick’s Day

“I’m excited to be fighting again in New York City, especially on St. Patrick’s Day at Madison Square Garden,” Mayer said. “I love that I’m going up against a former world champion because it’s going to make for a very competitive, exciting event. I’m also happy to be on a Mick Conlan card. He has a huge Irish and European fan base whom I hope to impress and turn into fans. See you at MSG!”

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Use the hashtags #StevensonMarriaga and #ConlanPreciado to join the conversation on social media.

Stevenson vs. Marriaga & Conlan vs. Preciado ticket info

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets for the Stevenson-Marriaga and Conlan-Preciado cards are priced at $200, $100, $70, $40 and $30 (not including applicable fees) and go on sale Friday, Feb. 7 at 12 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.

For a limited time, when purchasing a ticket online to one of these cards, you will then be given the option to purchase discounted tickets to the other event.

Feargal McCrory Added To Michael Conlan Card, March 17

Feargal McCrory will make his American debut next month.

The undefeated 27-year-old has a record of 11-0 with seven quick and will fight for the first time in 2020 on St Patrick’s Day.

McCrory has been confirmed as an addition to Michael Conlan’s return at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Conlan, the WBA Inter-Continental and WBO Inter-Continental featherweight champion, was last in action back in December at the big room at The Garden when he took on and outpointed former Olympic rival Vladimir Nikitin.

He steps up this time against Colombia’s Belmar Preciado over 10 rounds, with ESPN + carrying the broadcast Stateside.

And McCrory, who splits his time training with John Green in Belfast and Andre Rozier in Brooklyn, has added further Irish interest to a card which also plays host to a female fight between undefeated Mikaela Mayer and ex-WBC featherweight world champion Melissa Hernandez.

“It’s a massive opportunity for me,” McCrory wrote on social media. “An opportunity I have worked my [arse] off for and one I will grab with both hands!

“It’s definitely been a journey to this point but we’re only getting started. Thanks to everyone who has been part of my career to date and helped get me to this stage.”

Further additions to the latest instalment of The Conlan Revolution will be revealed in due course.

Press Release - Undercard Information

Before Irish sensation Michael "Mick" Conlan enters the ring against Colombian slugger Belmar Preciado in front of a raucous St. Patrick’s Day crowd at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET), many of the sport’s brightest young stars will look to steal the holiday spotlight.

Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas will make the first defense of his IBF North American 140-pound belt Tuesday, March 17 against Salvador Briceno in a 10-rounder. Vargas (16-1, 9 KOs), from the Bronx, N.Y., has won 10 consecutive bouts since an October 2016 disqualification defeat. Briceno (17-5, 11 KOs), from Guadalajara, Mexico, has won two of three since pushing undefeated prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. the distance last June in Reno, Nev.

Vargas-Briceno, along with the returns of top prospects Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez, Paddy “Real Deal” Donovan and Christopher “The Boy” Zavala, will stream live on ESPN+ starting at 5 p.m. ET.

“I’m excited to be fighting in my hometown on such a stacked card,” Vargas said. “It’s an honor to defend my belt in front of my friends, family and biggest supporters. I can’t wait for another spectacular fight night and to put on a show for everyone who will be watching on ESPN+.”

Rodriguez (19-0, 12 KOs), the fighting pride of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., will face former top prospect Dannie Williams (24-3, 18 KOs) in an eight-rounder at super lightweight. Rodriguez fought three times in the last five months of 2019 after nearly two years out of the ring due to assorted injuries. Williams, from Saint Louis, returned to the ring last April following more than five years away from it. He last fought in January, notching a 10-round decision over Andre Keys (12-1 at the time).

Donovan (3-0, 2 KOs), a 13-time national amateur champion from Limerick, Ireland, will be making his American debut in a six-round welterweight contest against Gregory Young (4-3, 1 KO). Donovan is trained and managed by former middleweight world champion Andy Lee.

“I can’t wait for my U.S. debut. I learned so much from training alongside Tyson Fury recently,” Donovan said. “I’m taking that experience into this fight. Thank you to Top Rank for putting me on this card. Conlan’s St. Patrick’s Day cards are always exciting, and I’m happy to be part of the festivities.”

Zavala (6-0, 3 KOs), a 20-year-old from Long Beach, Calif., will fight Rennard Oliver (7-2-3, 0 KOs) in a six-rounder at super featherweight. Oliver has never been knocked out as a pro and is coming off a draw against Raul Manrique Jr. (4-0 at the time).

In other action on the undercard stream:

Feargal McCrory (11-0, 5 KOs), one of Ireland’s top young prospects, will make his United States debut against the durable Juan Tapia (9-3, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder at super featherweight. Tapia, who has fought the likes of current WBO featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson, has never been knocked out as a pro.

Matthew Tinker (2-0, 2 KOs), from Scarborough, England, will face Esai Herrera (2-1, 1 KO) in a four-rounder at light heavyweight. Tinker has scored a pair of first-round knockouts to begin his career.

A wise Irishman once said:

“Who the fook is that guy?”

Conlon vs a guy no ones heard of whos being pulled up from the weight below. There is a reason Conlon has been matched....hes simply not that good. Look at Shakur Stevenson who is the same weight but younger and less AM experience and hes already a world champion. Conlon hasn't even proven hes British level yet. He sells tickets but never seems to step up.

rio wrote: ↑06 Mar 2020, 17:17 Conlon vs a guy no ones heard of whos being pulled up from the weight below. There is a reason Conlon has been matched....hes simply not that good. Look at Shakur Stevenson who is the same weight but younger and less AM experience and hes already a world champion. Conlon hasn't even proven hes British level yet. He sells tickets but never seems to step up.

That’s all he’s good for. Selling St Patrick day boxing tickets.



They’ll keep milking that.

I was impressed with Conlan last time out, he looked well rounded and sharp. I look forward to seeing him again.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑06 Mar 2020, 17:37

rio wrote: ↑06 Mar 2020, 17:17 Conlon vs a guy no ones heard of whos being pulled up from the weight below. There is a reason Conlon has been matched....hes simply not that good. Look at Shakur Stevenson who is the same weight but younger and less AM experience and hes already a world champion. Conlon hasn't even proven hes British level yet. He sells tickets but never seems to step up.

That’s all he’s good for. Selling St Patrick day boxing tickets.



They’ll keep milking that.

i think mick is going along all right, whats the rush , he is good boxer , but needs to get ta grips with the pro game before going at the top ten, what i see is him improving in every fight which is a good sign , i dont think he is ready for big fights yet, i would go 3 more fights , 28 years old thats his real weight divison so no rush

At present, Shakur Stevenson’s world title defense at Madison Square Garden goes ahead. Whilst there’s a big question mark over the Mick Conlan show due to the decision by New York to cancel the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Due to the number of people involved in the annual Irish Parade, a tough decision was made. Conlan’s fight thus far remains unaffected, though.

Top Rank On ESPN: March 14 And March 17 Events To Proceed Without Fans

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, and to ensure the health and safety of boxing fans and the fight participants, Top Rank announced today that the March 14 and March 17 events at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden will proceed without spectators. The only individuals granted access to the events will be essential production and support staff, in addition to fighters and necessary team members, and credentialed media. Both events will still be shown live on their respective ESPN platforms.

As for future events, Top Rank is consulting with its venue partners and will make a determination in due course.

Full refunds for tickets purchased for the March 14 and March 17 events will be available at the point of purchase.

https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/760625

Next Valero?

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How many fit into the Hulu? Obviously Conlan is a big ticket seller.

Boxers react to fight cancellations and share future plans

Michael Conlan, featherweight, scheduled to face Belmar Preciado on Tuesday in New York: I was upset, but I understand as well. When they canceled the [St. Patrick's Day] parade and they said the boxing was going ahead, it was only a matter of time [that they would cancel the fight]. So I was unsure if it was going to happen. But I spoke to my father and eventually I kind of got excited for it, that I'd be boxing in an empty MSG and making history in a weird kind of situation. So it was something I got excited for. When they told me it was off, I was, "Ahhhh, I'm sick."

But I could see it coming but was upset it was called off. I told you, I'm a fighter, I fight, and it was St. Paddy's. I want to get paid; I need to get paid.

Mikaela Mayer, junior lightweight, scheduled to fight Melissa Hernandez on Tuesday in New York: I can't say I was completely shocked. Obviously, the first step was, "Fights are on but there's not going to be an audience." So at that point I was just grateful that, "OK, I still have a job," because I was thinking about it, I knew that there's people out there not able to go to school, not able to go to work. "So, OK, I still have a job, I'm still getting paid. No problem, OK, this can work."

And then when they shut down the fight, obviously, I'm severely disappointed because I was supposed to fly out the next day [Wednesday], but there's nothing we can do, and one thing coach Al Mitchell always taught me was: Don't stress over things you can't control.

So I think the safety of everyone, including my team -- Coach Al is older -- and if it's this serious, I would hate to bring him over there and expose him to anything that could harm him in any way. So I think this is just the safe way to go about it -- there's nothing we can do. Hopefully we get control of it soon and then we find a way to have these fights.