Controversial ex-Olympian looks to shine on Pacquiao undercard

BRISBANE, Australia – Former Olympian Michael Conlan is ready to show his wares on the big stage.

And having the chance to do it in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight title defense against Jeff Horn at Suncorp Stadium here on Sunday makes it extra-special for the 25-year-old super bantamweight prospect.

“I think it’s pivotal for my career, being in the undercard of a future hall of famer,” Conlan, who will take on local fighter Jarret Owen, told Philstar.com Wednesday.

“I'd be honored and I think it will be a great learning curve for my career,” he added.

It will be only Conlan’s third fight since turning professional early this year.

Conlan gained notoriety in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where after he lost a decision to Russia's Vladimir Nikitin, he flashed obscene gestures at the judges. He also sent a tweet to Vladimir Putin suggesting the Russian president helped fix the fight.

"Hey Vlad," he tweeted. "How much did they charge you bro??"

Fed up with what he claimed as a corrupt International Boxing Association (AIBA), the Irishman decided to turn pro and has since won his first two bouts by knockout.

On Sunday, he plans to keep the knockout streak alive.

“I’m not in this sport to go for points. I'm in this sport to get victories by knockout. I'm going for it,” said Conlan.

Asked if he thinks Pacquiao should already call it quits, Conlan disagreed.

“I think he's got some more big fights for him to win,” he said, adding that Pacquiao can explore fights with young guns like Vasyl Lomachenko, Mikey Garcia and Terence Crawford. – With report from AP