Conor Quinn: 'I remember watching Rogan vs Fury at SSE, now I am the main act'

Conor Quinn recalls watching Martin Rogan fighting at the SSE Arena. He also saw his current trainer Dee Walsh beat Tommy Tolan the iconic venue.

Rogan suffered a TKO loss to the one and only Tyson Fury on April 14, 2012. On the same bill Walsh stopped Tolan in what was only his third professional bout.

Fast forward 12 years and Quinn is preparing to go under the SSE spotlight. His Commonwealth flyweight showdown with Conner Kelsall is the main event.

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Quinn admits it is a "pinch me moment" as he prepares for his debut under Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions.

"The SSE Arena holds such a special place in my heart. I have watched so many fighters there, even as far back as Martin Rogan. I watched Dee Walsh, my coach, fight Tommy Tolan at the SSE Arena," he said.

"When you start tot think back to times like that, and then all of a sudden you are one of the main guys fighting on a show there, it puts everything into perspective.

"Everything is starting to fall into place now."

Quinn's career hasn't always been straightforward. The Belfast flyweight almost had to quit boxing in 2021 when an MRI scan showed evidence of a stroke during his early life. Follow-up tests revealed it was linked to a hole in the heart.

He underwent successful keyhole surgery and is now back fighting and climbing the ranks.

"I've had to stick with it. It wasn't that long ago that I was told I would never box again. It just shows that if you really try and put your head down, then these opportunities will present themselves," he said.

"When I was told I would never box again, that was a drive for me to keep going. And when I was able to return to boxing, it was head down and move forward. I won't mess around or take time out of the ring. I want to stay busy. And here we are.

"A lot of boxers go through adversity. When I was having my issues, I knew that it would be part of my boxing journey. It was going to be part of this story for me to tell when I have all the belts around my waist.

"Look at Anthony Cacace and others who have faced adversity in their careers. That's the beauty of the sport, it has lows but it also has highs. And you have to treat both the same."

Friday's fight will be Quinn's first since signing for Queensberry Promotions. The deal came about following a recommendation from former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton.

"You couldn't have a better person to recommend you than Carl Frampton. Obviously Frank Warren is an absolute legend of the sport, and you mention his name to anyone in the sport their eyes light up," Quinn said.

"To be mixing with these types of guys is unbelievable, and it is something I always hoped would happen, but when it does happen then you start pinching yourself.

"I want to go all the way. I wouldn't get into a sport of this magnitude if I didn't feel I could go all the way. I wouldn't waste my time or my team's time. It is just one step at a time for me.

"The Commonwealth title is next on Friday night and that's my sole focus. That is the next step on my journey."

Quinn admits he is proud to fly the flag for Belfast boxing at the SSE Arena on Friday night. He hopes it is a sign of things to come.

"It is great to see Belfast boxing given this spotlight. It magnifies this city, which in my opinion is the best boxing city in the world," he said.

"I'd love to be one of the flag bearers and keep bringing these big shows back to Belfast. I remember when I turned professional that I would have to take a few fights on the road and maybe get the odd fight in Belfast.

"But ever since I returned home, every one of my fights has been in Belfast. Even this one, I thought my first fight under Queensberrry would be in London, but here we are at the SSE Arena.

"That spurs me on, and why can't I have every fight in Belfast. People want to fight at Madison Square Garden or the MGM Grand, but that was never a goal for me. The SSE Arena was always my dream, and if I could fight every fight there then I would be a happy man."

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