Michael Conlan has predicted an early finish to his December 14 clash with Olympics nemesis Vladimir Nikitin.
It has been announced that the pair will meet at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Terence Crawford's WBO welterweight title defence against Teofimo Lopez.
Conlan and Nikitin were due to meet at the Feile an Phobail in Falls Park back in August but the Russian pulled out with a torn bicep injury .
Now they will look to serve up a festive treat in New York.
Conlan told Belfast Live Sport: "I didn't think this fight would ever happen, to be honest.
"People think Nikitin is the only fighter who has been on my radar, but to be honest he has been in my rearview mirror.
"He had that bad injury before the Feile and I thought it would take him a long time to recover, and I want to push on.
"So I didn't think our paths would cross again, but now I have the chance and I can't wait.
"Isaac Dogboe turned me down and we were also looking at Genesis Servania, but then I was asked if I wanted the Nikitin fight and I said '100 per cent'."
Belfast featherweight Conlan suffered a controversial points decision defeat to Nikitin at the 2016 Rio Olympics, after which Conlan labelled amateur boxing “corrupt”.
Now he wants to set the record straight.
"I am always motivated for fights, but this one will give me added motivation," he added.
"For my Falls Park fight I was preparing for Nikitin for a long part of that camp, and I remember how much that drove me on.
"I am excited for this fight. It is one I can really get my teeth stuck into. I will have a Plan A, B, C, D, E and F for this one. No stone will be left unturned.
"He beat me in Rio, even though I won the fight. He beat me one other time. So he is 2-0 up when it comes to previous meetings.
"People think this will be a foregone conclusion, but he is the one who has beaten me twice.
"But I am a different boxer to the one that fought in Rio. I am fitter, stronger, smarter - and he will see that on December 14.
"This fight won't go past seven rounds, I can guarantee you that."
Pre-sale tickets will go on sale on Wednesday (October 16) at 5pm (BST) - fans can get tickets using the code 'CONLAN'.
Conlan will have a link to the sale on his social media bios on Tuesday evening.
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