Michael Conlan has turned professional and joined the Top Rank Promotions stable of boxers.
The 2012 Olympic medallist, who suffered controversial heartbreak in Rio this summer, confirmed his move into the professional ranks last night.
He has joined the US-based group, which is run by legendary promoter Bob Arum, and has Manny Pacquiao on its books.
It's done! #TopRank #TRBoxing pic.twitter.com/r3SDD2f384
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) September 19, 2016
Conlan signed the contract in Las Vegas last night and according to ESPN, he will fight at least six times in 2017, primarily in the USA, though one of those bouts is expected to take place in Ireland.
He could also make his professional debut on St. Patrick's weekend in New York.
Arum tweeted his welcome to Conlan last night, posting a picture in reference to Conlan's controversial defeat in Rio last month.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Amateur hour is over. <a href="https://twitter.com/mickconlan11">@mickconlan11</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ToddDuboef">@ToddDuboef</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CarlMoretti">@CarlMoretti</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/trboxing">@trboxing</a> <a href="https://t.co/kweLoEMzKU">pic.twitter.com/kweLoEMzKU</a></p>— Bob Arum (@BobArum) <a href="https://twitter.com/BobArum/status/777983883761504256">September 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Conlan spoke to 98FM’s Jamie Moore on Now That’s What I Call Sport on Sunday about that Olympics experience. Listen back below:
Also yesterday, Barnes confirmed his move to the professional ranks, by joining Macklin’s MGM team in Marbella.
#MGM are delighted to announce the signing of Olympian, #PaddyBarnes, on a management contract. The signing of... https://t.co/Q5D4f6QH09
— MGM (@MGM_Marbella) September 19, 2016
