All the details you need to watch the Michael Conlan vs Diego Alberto Ruiz fight
The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist and amateur world champion has his homecoming back to Belfast on a stellar show. Initially, the southpaw stylist was due to reignite his rivalry with Vladimir Nikitin from the infamous amateur fight in the Rio 2016 Olympics that saw the Irishman defeat the Russian handily only for the other hand to be raised. Unfortunately, the chance for revenge fell by the wayside when the Russian withdrew in June with a torn bicep, so a higher-ranked opponent has stepped in to fill the void.
BBN have provided all the details viewers need to tune in and watch on the 215th day of the year:
Date
The bout takes place on August 3, during the Féile an Phobail, which is also known as the West Belfast Festival, which is a community arts organisation known for its Féile (Festival). The organisation is prominent for its promotion of Irish and international culture.
Venue
It takes place at the Feile Marquee, Falls Park in Belfast
Rounds scheduled
10 three-minute rounds at the featherweight limit
Titles
The WBO and WBA Inter-Continental featherweight titles are on the line.
Ringwalks
UK fight fans can expect the pair to make their ringwalks any time around 10pm (GMT).
TV Coverage
Coverage will be live on BT Sport in association with Queensberry Promotions and on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank.
Live Stream
You can watch online via BT Sport website and the ESPN+ website. You can also keep up date with the action by following the BT Sport Boxing account on Twitter, as well as the official Frank Warren Twitter account.
Undercard Highlights
Joining Conlan vs Ruiz on a huge bill is Paddy Gallagher vs Chris Jenkins for the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles.
One to watch is Dennis McCann, a nine-time national amateur champion that's just signed with Frank Warren, who has raced to 2-0 already.
Related Articles
Everything you ever need to know about Michael Conlan vs Diego Alberto Ruiz HERE
Press Conference Quotes
MC say's it's the best Michael Conlan you'll see – All the final presser quotes HERE
Conlan has said, “I’ve got a high-class fighter ranked highly in the world. I’m expecting him to cause me more problems than what Nikitin could have caused me.
“Maybe, once I’m world champion, I might give Nikitin a shot but for now I’m moving on because it was more stalling my career than advancing it in terms of the level I’m at.
“Facing a higher level of opponent is better for me. I want to push on towards world titles and big, big fights and I have to start going through the gears now.”
Ruiz replied, “This is the biggest fight of my career and a great opportunity to prove myself as a fighter. I fought June 1, and I am going to be ready for whatever Michael brings.
“It won’t be an easy fight, but it is not an impossible task. I am not scared to fight on the road. That is my motivation because the pressure will be on him.”
Background
WBO Inter-Continental featherweight titlist Michael Conlan (11-0) will clash with WBC Latino Silver featherweight king Diego Alberto Ruiz (21-2, 10 KOs) in the cauldron of Féile an Phobail on August 3.
The Argentinian has stepped in to replace injured Vladimir Nikitin after the Russian withdrew citing a bicep injury. The former Olympic opponents were due to revive their old rivalry, but it's a revenge match that will have to be scheduled for a later date, most likely when either of the pair are holding a major title.
For the home fighter, it's his third 10-round title fight in his two-year pro career, as he looks timprove his #5 ranking with the WBO, where Oscar Valdez reigns supreme.
Betting Odds Supplied by 888Sport
1/33 Michael Conlan12/1 Diego Alberto Ruiz
33/1 Draw
Running Order
Michael Conlan vs Vladimir Nikitin
10×3 Featherweight contest
Paddy Gallagher vs Chris Jenkins
12×3 British & Commonwealth welterweight titles
Padraig McCrory vs Steve Collins Jr
10×3 Celtic super-middleweight title
Luke Keeler vs Luis Arias
10×3 Middleweight contest
Alfredo Meli vs Araik Marutjan
8×3 Middleweight contest
Sean McComb vs Renald Garrido
8×3 Super-lightweight contest
Paddy Barnes vs TBA
6×3 Flyweight contest
Dennis McCann vs TBA
6×3 Bantamweight contest
Seanie Duffy vs Naheem Chaudhry
4×3 Lightweight contest
Dee Sullivan vs TBA
4×3 Cruiserweight contest
Callum Bradley vs Jose Hernandez
4×3 Super-featherweight contest