Michael Conlan set for Belfast homecoming in first fight since world title defeat
- Planet Sport writer
- 4 June 2022
Irish star Mick Conlan is making a return to the ring for the first time since his defeat to Leigh Wood.
The featherweight - who got knocked out in the final round by Wood in an instant classic - is set for a homecoming.
Conlan-Marriaga and undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+.
"There is no place like home, and we are thrilled that Mick will get another chance to perform in front of the tremendous Belfast fans," said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. "With a win over a solid opponent like Marriaga, he'll once again be contending for a featherweight world title in short order."
"I'm very excited to be back fighting in my beloved Belfast," Conlan said. "Miguel is a great fighter, and together we'll give the fans a memorable night at The SSE Arena. This bout will get me straight back in the mix for world titles, and I'm relishing the task at hand."
Added Jamie Conlan, CEO of Conlan Boxing: "The road back for Michael starts with Miguel Marriaga. Miguel is a dangerous man and one of the biggest punchers in the division who has mixed it up at the very top.
"August 6 will be another electric night in the city in what is becoming an annual Irish boxing tradition with Michael's fight night at the Feile festival. The goal remains the same. Michael Conlan will be Ireland's next world champion."
A two-time Irish Olympian, this marks Conlan's fourth professional outing in Belfast and third time headlining during Feile an Phobail.
The Doheny victory earned Conlan the mandatory position to fight Wood. In an epic Fight of the Year battle, Conlan, who was ahead on the scorecards, lost via 12th-round stoppage.
Marriaga (30-5, 28 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia, has been a factor at featherweight and junior lightweight since making his American debut in 2014.
He is a three-time world title challenger, falling short to Nicholas Walters and Oscar Valdez at featherweight and Vasiliy Lomachenko in an August 2017 bid for the WBO junior lightweight crown.
