Boxing champion Michael Conlan will finally get his chance at Olympics redemption when he faces Vladimir Nikitin in New York this December.
The pair were supposed to meet in Belfast this August to rematch their controversial amateur bout, which saw the Russian win via a bizarre decision at the 2016 games in Rio, but Nikitin pulled out with an injury.
So the Irishman will get his chance to face his old rival in the professional ranks on the undercard of Terence “Bud” Crawford's WBO welterweight world title defence against undefeated mandatory challenger Egidijus “Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas at Madison Square Garden.
In a tweet, Conlan said: "Finally it’s time to put this fight to bed, I’m delighted to announce the rematch between myself and Vladimir Nikitin is back on and at the Mecca of Boxing; The Garden.
"I just hope he turns up this time, #ConlanRevolution #Redemption."
Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum added: "Mick Conlan has been asking for Nikitin since the day he signed with Top Rank.
"He finally gets his wish, and I know he wants to correct the tremendous injustice of the 2016 Rio Olympics.”
Vladimir Nikitin is only 3-0 at pro level, but after beating the Belfast native to take away his chance at a second Olympic medal and ending his amateur career, he has been high on Conlan's radar.
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