Conor Quinn says Friday night’s fight with Conner Kelsall for the vacant Commonwealth flyweight title represents a “massive opportunity” for him.
The 26-year-old will take on the English champion in his home city of Belfast in the biggest fight of his career to date.
Celtic and Commonwealth Silver flyweight champion Quinn has won nine of his professional contests with one contest ending in a draw.
“It’s absolutely massive and I’m buzzing – it’s a definite step up, I’m taking on an undefeated fighter and we’re both going in there to try and change our lives in terms of boxing,” said Quinn.
“I’ve been calling for these opportunities for a quite a while now. It’s a big step up but I’m definitely ready for it and I believe I’m ready to take this belt with both hands.”
It’s been a difficult journey to big-time boxing for Quinn, who returned home from Australia after winning his opening two fights.
He sought a licence with the British Boxing Board of Control to resume his professional career, with the process including medical examinations.
A brain scan showed signs of a stroke and further tests revealed this was caused by a hole in his heart.
Heart surgery followed to close the hole and Quinn returned to the ring after he was granted a licence in 2022.
Quinn’s career received a major boost in March when he joined Frank Warren’s Queensberry stable and three months later he is headlining the ‘Belfast Brawl’ card at the SSE Arena.
“It’s surreal – I always knew I had the talent and the work ethic to go far in the sport but I’ve never had that big backing of a promoter. It’s impossible to get the big fights any other way.
“When you sit back and look at it it’s a lot bigger than anything I’ve been involved in. It gives you that wee extra push in training and gets you up earlier to do morning runs.”
Quinn, who has ambitions of world success, is confident of victory but his Doncaster opponent also boasts an impressive record, having won all 11 of his fights.
“I personally believe I’m capable of taking on anyone in the world right now – in terms of talent and ambition I feel I’m right up there.
“I’ll take a win by any means necessary on Friday. I always like to bring a bit of excitement to the fans so if there’s a knockout on the table I’ll take that with both hands. Yeah, he’s a good opponent by I just feel I’m that little bit better.”
Friday night’s bill also includes Pierce O’Leary facing Darragh Foley in the fourth defence of his WBC International super-lightweight title while James McGivern defends the Celtic lightweight belt for the first time against Welshman Rahid Omar.
