Michael Conlan is back on the winning track, with a straight-forward unanimous decision victory over Miguel Marriaga at the SSE Arena in Belfast. Conlan, who got 99-89 and 99-98 wins twice on the cards, improved to 17-1, with 8KO, while Marriaga slid to 30-6, 26KO.
It was Conlan’s first fight since Defeat at the hands of Leigh Wood is back in March, which saw his hopes of becoming world champion go up in smoke. It was a tentative first round with very little recorded happening. It was the same in the second, with Conlan landing with better shots, while Marriaga struggled to land anything other than a backhand glance at the Belfast man.
Conlan passed with his right hand in the third inning and looked very relaxed, as there were very few back-to-backs from Marriaga. The Colombian advanced more in the fourth inning, but played into the hands of Conlan, when he picked him. Conlan is also starting to get more physically active, as he seems to be increasing the intensity.
However, it is not necessary to select it, as he is in control of the cruise. It was a disciplined performance from Conlan, who was able to work at his own pace. Marriaga is still moving forward, as they enter the fifth round, but he has achieved minimal success.
Conlan had the answer to everything Marriaga had done her way. The Colombia is down in seventh place after he was handcuffed with his right hand behind his head, then a sharp left hand and now he is healthy and really desperate. He moved forward, following Conlan around the ring, making it easy for the former Olympic hero.
The first kill is scored for @ MickConlan11 #ConlanMarriagapic.twitter.com/HmxqcFior5
– Top boxing (@trboxing) August 6, 2022
Conlan, sensing an early end, now switched to that extra piece of equipment and once again let Marriaga take down in the eighth round, after a lightning strike. Another fruit in season nine, causing Marriaga to touch down, was aided by a slip, and the crowd roared at their hero.
Marriaga touches the canvas again#ConlanMarriaga | Live on @ESPNPluspic.twitter.com/fvZi4H9GZK
– Top boxing (@trboxing) August 6, 2022
Marriaga decided to try and rough up Conlan in the final round, throwing Conlan onto the canvas. It proved too little, too late for Marriaga, and Conlan passed the competition relatively peacefully and will now once again turn his attention to a future world title.
Earlier in the evening, Tyrone McKenna was awarded a decisive win by chance over Chris Jenkins, after an entertaining 10th round match. The two walked back and forth, not taking a step back. Jenkins seemed to have done enough, but all three judges handed it over to the local man.
Kieran Molloy and Kurt Walker continued their fledgling careers with victories, while Padraig McCrory went into search and destroy mode to take out Marco Antonio Periban. Paddy Donovan also won and maintained his undefeated record with 8 round points against Tom Hill.
