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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
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Gareth Fullerton

Michael Conlan next fight plans as brother Jamie offers positive update

Jamie Conlan remains confident brother Michael can land a world title shot in Belfast later this year.

May 27 is the date for a potential showdown with reigning IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez at the SSE Arena.

It was initially hoped that the pair would meet on St Patrick's Day, but an injury to Lopez has pushed the date back.

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Conlan Boxing promoter Jamie says ongoing conversations between the two camps have been "encouraging".

He told Belfast Live: "Talks are still ongoing. We are hoping to have some kind of direction on how things are moving in the next week to 10 days.

"But Lopez is where our thoughts are and what our preparations are going into. May 27 has been floated around as the date we are targeting.

Jamie Conlan (INPHO/Matchroom Boxing/Mark Robinson)

"Lopez is a tough fight. He is very, very good. His punch output is high and he hits hard enough to hurt you.

"It is a tough fight but one I am very confident Michael will win. The talks have been encouraging so far and everything is moving in the right direction.

"And everyone is happy about bringing the fight here, we are all on the same wavelength in terms of what needs to be done.

"It is just about small things that need to be ironed out. We looked at options including chief support for Lomachenko vs Haney. That stalled so we looked closer to home and checked what available we had with the SSE.

"So we are blowing in the right direction and it is exciting. To bring a big world title fight here hasn't been done in a long time.

"And with Katie Taylor also fighting in Ireland the week before it promises to be a massive week for boxing."

Michael has been "ticking over" as he waits on confirmation of his next fight.

He hopes it will be another world title shot, after losing out to Leigh Wood in agonising fashion last year.

Conlan was seconds away from realising his dream but was sensationally knocked out in the final round.

The Falls Road fighter has bounced back with wins over Miguel Marriaga and Karim Guerfi, the latter who he sensationally knocked out in one round.

"Michael always looks after the controllables. He stays out of negotiations and just focuses on getting into the best shape he can," Jamie added.

"The good thing about working with Michael is he lets you get on with things without getting involved. He asks for an update every now and again, but he lets things take its course."

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