Irish Sensation Michael Conlan Outpoints Molina on the Lomachenko-Rigondeaux Undercard
Two-time Irish Olympian Michael Conlan improved to 5-0, 4 KOs with a six-round unanimous decision victory over Argentina’s Luis Fernando Molina (4-4-1, 1 KO) on the Vasyl Lomachenko–Guillermo Rigondeaux undercard at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.
The official scores at ringside were 60-54 three time.
Conlan went the distance for the first time in his fledgling professional career and his fifth bout of this calendar year. Conlan made his debut in the same venue during St. Patrick’s Day weekend and had fellow Irish superstar Conor McGregor escort him to the ring.
Conlon was forced to fight the majority of the bout in the southpaw stance after hurting a knuckle on his left hand, but was able to control the action with a stiff right-hand jab that kept the overmatched, but very game Molina at bay.
The 26-year-old Conlan went to the body well against Molina and changed angles, keeping the Argentinean guessing and whiffing on looping hooks. Conlan, from Belfast Ireland, had the partisan crowd behind him as he continued to pepper Molina to the body which discouraged him from trying to engage.
Conlan twice represented Ireland in the Olympics first in 2012 and then most recently in 2016 in Rio when he lost a his pro debut in front of a sold out crowd on St. Patrick’s Day.
Conlan lost a controversial decision in the quarterfinals to Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin, causing him to erupt and make headlines around the world by calling out the Olympic judges and the AIBA. Conlan captured the bronze medal in London, but was eliminated by the eventual gold medal winner, Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez.
Conlan already has his next fight date set up for next St. Patrick’s Day back at Madison Square Garden against an opponent to be named later.
Photos by Mikey Williams/Top Rank
