Legendary promoter Bob Arum believes Michael Conlan has the potential to become the new face of Irish boxing if he beats Luis Alberto Lopez on Saturday night.
The Belfast boxer will bid to become world champion when he takes on Lopez for the Mexican's IBF featherweight title at the SSE Arena.
The city's most recent champions include Carl Frampton and Ryan Burnett, while Katie Taylor is revered across the island of Ireland for her seismic achievements inside the ring.
Read more: How to watch this year's Isle of Man TT - TV and live stream info
At 31, Conlan now has a chance to take up the mantle and write his own name in the pantheon of Irish boxing's greats, and Top Rank chief Arum believes the Falls Road man has all the skills, and personality, to become a major attraction across the world.
Arum said: "Michael is a terrific young man. He is a really good fighter and he is stepping to the plate, as we said in the US, against a really tough, tough opponent.
"Luis is the world champion, and he doesn't hesitate going into his opponent's home town and perform spectacularly.
"Mick knows it won't be an easy fight. All the people here in Belfast will have the opportunity to watch, I think, a classic, competitive championship fight.
"And who knows, it might end up being the fight of the year."
Asked if Conlan could become the new face of Irish boxing, Arum smiled: "I'm not an Irishman, obviously. So I can't say.
"Is Tyson Fury an Irishman? But a win for Mick certainly propels him to be one of the faces of boxing, and one of the star attractions.
"And he will be in demand by fans in arenas all over the world if he wins on Saturday night."
The bookmakers find Saturday's world title clash too close to call, with many edging Conlan into favouritism for the featherweight bout.
He is also the home fighter, and will have a partisan crowd cheering him on inside the SSE Arena, a venue that will be turned into a cauldron of noise.
"In boxing, when we do an event the first thing we look at is if the fight will be competitive. This fight for the championship will be a very competitive fight," Arum added.
"There are arguments on both sides on who will win. Some say the champion, some the challenger.
"It will be decided by the two athletes in the ring, and that's the essence of boxing. You can't blame your teammates.
"Boxing is one vs one and it's all on the shoulders of the two people in the ring. And when you get two equally matched athletes in boxing, there is no sport in the world that compares.
"So I believe everyone here watching the fight, and everyone watching on TV, are in for a big treat on Saturday night."
READ NEXT:
-
How to watch this year's Isle of Man TT - TV and live stream info
Tyrone star Kevin Hughes speaks candidly about losing siblings in road accidents
Wayne McCullough highlights 'non-existent' aspect to many emerging boxers
McCullough gives Conlan-Lopez verdict as he outlines 'easy' route to victory
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
