Tonight Jamie Conlan (18-0,11KOs) is hoping climb up the WBC Super Flyweight ranking, by challenging Yader Cardoza (22-10,6KOs) for the vacant WBC International Silver Super Flyweight belt at Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
Jamie, known as “The Mexican” for his explosive style of fighting, is currently ranked 2nd with the WBO and 9th with the IBF. He fought and won at the waterfront back in June 2014, where he was defending his WBO Super Flyweight title against Gabor Molnar (17-9, 11KOs). He says that he is looking forward to fighting in front of the Belfast crowd again, but knows he must stick to his game plan if he is to come out on top and look good in doing so.
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Promoter Frank Warren, who hosts tonight’s show in Northern Ireland, states that Conlan isn’t far away from a world title shot for him and adds it could be in Belfast.
“I’m working very hard to put in place a big fight for Jamie and the plan is to get him a World title shot within the next two or three fights,” said Warren.
“It’s just about getting the right fight and we’ll be doing everything we can to bring his World title fight to Belfast.
“So, he can’t afford any slip-ups because he’s in a very good position.”
Originally coached by his father John, Jamie started his exciting amateur career with first fight at the age of thirteen. He won several domestic titles as well as gold and silver medals in the Four Nations Championship. In his professional debut in 2009, Jamie faced Anwar Alfadli and went home victorious winning the bout on points. Since then he has been undefeated in his 18 fights and he looks set to do greater things in his professional career.
His younger brother, Michael Conlan, is also set for a promising career in professional boxing and his debut against Tim Ibarra (4-4,1KO) is set for the 17th March at Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York.
Jamie’s Nicaraguan opponent, Cardoza is not known as a big puncher, but instead seems to rely on the volume and accuracy of his shots and at times can be very unpredictable. His career peaked in May 2013 when he was put forward to fight for the WBC World Light Flyweight title against Adrian Hernandez (30-5,19KOs). Up until this point Cardoza had good run of wins in six, ten and twelve round bouts, but a loss by unanimous decision against Hernandez seemed to set a trend for future fights. He has since had a bit of a chequered fight history and it’s hard to say that he will be a difficult opposition for Jamie to overcome.
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With regards to other pound-for pound contenders, such a Roman Gonzales, Naoya Inoue, WBA champ Kal Yafai and Jerwin Ancajas, the 8st 3lb division is bursting with talent. Conlan is hoping that by putting on a win tomorrow great performance tomorrow night, it could pave the way to a long and overdue title shot.
The rumours that Naoya Inoue might be moving up to Bantamweight, to challenge the WBC belt holder Shinsuke Yamanaka, means there is a possibility that Conlan could go on to fight for the vacant WBO title.
With Cardoza not having fought a twelve round bout since his loss to Hernandez and Jamie’s spotless record with an impressive knockout percentage, Conlan is a clear favourite to win. Hopefully this will be the start of bigger and better things for “The Mexican” and his chance to cross the pond and his recognition from the WBC, could just be on the horizon.
