Michael Conlan says the seed of fighting at Falls Park was planted as he watched The Wolfe Tones perform at the venue back in 2017.
It was his solicitor who pitched the idea, and it wasn’t long before the ambitious young boxer put the plan in motion.
Conlan had made his professional debut in the United States earlier that year, the first of five fights on the road in 2017 for the former amateur standout.
“I was at the concert and I think it was my solicitor who said ‘we’ll have to get you fighting here’. And that was the spark. The seed was planted,” Conlan said.
“I said to Jamie (Conlan), ‘I want to fight here’. And the ball started to roll.
“I always imagined fighting at Casement Park when I was a kid. The fact that Casement is now starting to move is amazing. But fighting in Falls Park is incredible.
Michael Conlan fights TJ Doheny on Friday night at Falls Park
“I have said before that I had many fights in that park where I wasn’t being paid. I have done many things in that park, from bunking off school there, to getting chased by the cops. You name it.
“I have a lot of fond memories of Falls Park, and to get to box professionally there is unbelievable. It is my backyard, an actual stone’s throw from my mum’s house.”
Conlan’s ambition became reality two years later when he headlined against Diego Alberto Ruiz at the 2019 Feile an Phobail.
It was a historic night played out in front of a cauldron atmosphere, all cheering the home boy on.
“I just remember the excitement last time in 2019,” he recalls.
“Standing on the stage, and the walk to the ring. The crowd was standing there and I didn’t have a clue what to do with my hands.
“It is amazing. It is a special, special feeling. And it’s one I can’t wait to enjoy once again. It is a once-a-year thing, and we didn’t even get to do it last year because of Covid-19.
“It is the best atmosphere in the world, and it is an honour for me to be part of it.”
Michael Conlan in action against Diego Alberto Ruiz at the 2019 Feile
(Image: Inpho)
Conlan’s ring walk that night at Falls Park was shared throughout the world, with one video on YouTube being viewed over 650,000 times.
“In that moment, I am not really thinking. I am on auto-pilot and I am focused. So everything else is secondary,” added Conlan, speaking as a Built for Athletes’ brand ambassador/athlete.
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“But when I watch it back, the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. It is spine-tingling.
“When I am there, I am in the moment and fully concentrated on my job. But when I watch it back, it is just amazing.”
He added: “These are defining moments for me as a boxer. These are memories which will last a lifetime.
“My kids will tell their kids and their kids will tell their kids. To be able to do what I am doing is a privilege. It is an honour.
“Not many people get to do this. I have done it once, and here I am getting to do it again.”
Michael Conlan
Conlan returns tomorrow night to headline the opening night of the 2021 Feile an Phobail, this time against former world champion and fellow Irish warrior TJ Doheny.
And while the buzz and excitement of fighting at Falls Park is starting to surface, Conlan insists it’s business as usual.
“It doesn’t change my preparation or my mental approach. I am going in there to battle another man,” he said.
“I am going in there to beat the s*** out of this guy, and he wants to take the head off me. So it is special having fans back, but my approach doesn’t change.
“I am excited for the fans, that atmosphere is special. But in terms of preparation, everything remains the same.”
Michael Conlan was speaking as an ambassador of Built for Athletes , creators of bespoke, high-quality ergonomic backpacks loved by over 80,000 athletes worldwide.
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