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Jamie Conlan: My brother Michael will be crowned world champion on Saturday night
Sibling friends: Jamie Conlan has praised his brother Michael’s attitude. Credit: Mark Robinson
Mark Robinson
Jamie Conlan has backed his brother Michael to become the latest Belfast fighter to become a world champion.
Former World Amateur champion Michael goes toe to toe with Leigh Wood for the WBA Featherweight title in Nottingham on Saturday night — and Jamie is in no doubt as to who would be celebrating.
“I believe it’s destiny, Michael has always been tipped in Ireland to be one of the best boxers ever to come out of the country,” he said.
“He’s proved that as an amateur, he become the only male World Champion from Ireland as an amateur.
“He’s progressed nicely as a pro and when the opportunity to come to Nottingham came up, we were very happy because we sat down and said that’s what it’s meant to be.
“To become World Champion, you must go to the opponent’s back yard and beat him in front of his own family, friends, that’s how to state a legacy.
“We’re very excited and I’m very proud as a brother, very proud to be part of his crew and see him progress to get to this moment.
"This is the one, this is destiny. No doubts at all, on March 12 he’ll be champion.
“We came just the two of us, that’s how confident we are, we don’t need to bring everyone in our gym and watch him do a press conference.
“Belfast, when they get behind their own, it’s hard to beat. As a city we don’t have much, boxing is our sport and passion. In England, footballers take priority, in West Belfast where we’re from boxers are lauded over any other sportsman because they understand that Belfast is a boxing city.”
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