Michael Conlan is now the number-one amateur bantamweight in the world.
The Belfast native has climbed to the top of the International Boxing Association’s bantamweight rankings after becoming Ireland’s first ever male amateur world champion last month.
Conlan survived a third round knockdown to beat Murodjon Akhmadaliev of Uzbekistan on points to become the World Champion on October 14. Irish fans will remember him as one of the members from the stellar boxing team that traveled to London 2012. Conlan picked up a bronze medal at the games.
He becomes only the second Irishman to become the number one-ranked amateur boxer in the world after Mullingar super-featherweight John Joe Nevin.
.@mickconlan11 is officially the new @AIBA_Boxing world No1, only 2nd Irishman to achieve that after @johnJoeNevin pic.twitter.com/yiK87sZSvT
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) November 3, 2015
Katie Taylor remains the number-one ranked boxer in her division while Joe Ward and Michael O’Reilly are both at number three. Interestingly enough, Paddy Barnes is not ranked having not represented Ireland internationally in two years.
Officially @AIBA_Boxing World Number One as of today!!! #No.1 #WorldChampion pic.twitter.com/UwlSw1kYr8
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) November 3, 2015
