World Champion boxer Michael Conlan says he is most looking forward to bringing his gold medal home to his baby daughter.
Yesterday, the Belfast bantamweight became the first Irishman to win a World Championship gold, surviving a final round knockdown to beat his Uzbek opponent Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Doha.
This morning the 23-year-old said his daughter has changed his perspective and he couldn’t wait to bring the medal home to her.
“I’m bringing it home to my wee daughter (Luisne), my fiancee (Shauna) and my mum and dad and the rest of my family,” Conlan said.
“Mainly my wee daughter, she means everything to me. She’s given me a new lease of life this year and it’s been fantastic.”
The bond between father and daughter is so strong that earlier this year Conlan enlisted Luisne to help him propose to his girlfriend.
He popped the question by writing ,” Mummy will you marry my Daddy please!?!” and sticking the note to Luisne’s baby rocker. She even held the ring.
Afterwards he posted the gorgeous picture on Instagram and captioned it: “she said yes!”.
Today Conlan said: “She’s made me grow up a bit.
“I was a bit immature before this year, but since she was born I’ve had to man up as they say.”
Looks like the new mature attitude is paying off in spades.
Great to make Irish history, I told everyone I was going to win this, you just have to believe! #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/sAx2qukQDu
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) October 15, 2015