Michael Conlan is now officially a professional boxer.
The Belfast native has confirmed he’s made the move from amateur to the the pro leagues by signing for Top Rank promotion run by iconic promoter Bob Arum.
Conlan made his intentions to leave the amateur ranks clear after slamming the judges who denied him a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Despite appearing to have emphatically beaten Vladimir Nikitin to the point where the Russian boxer was unable to fight again in the next round of the competition, the judges scored it against Conlan.
What a photo from @sportsfile. Sums it up pic.twitter.com/DUwg7C4pSM
— Paul Fitzpatrick (@moefitzpatrick) August 16, 2016
The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and world champion will now join the US-based promotion which promotes high-profile pugilists such as Manny Pacquiao and Jessie Vargas.
It's done! #TopRank #TRBoxing pic.twitter.com/r3SDD2f384
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) September 19, 2016
This news comes shortly after fellow Belfast boxer Paddy Barnes confirmed he turned pro after being snapped up by MGM, run by retired Irish boxer Matthew Macklin.
Welcome to the TR fam @mickconlan11 @trboxing pic.twitter.com/fCnEaD6Knq
— Carl Moretti (@CarlMoretti) September 19, 2016
