Nikitin signs with Top Rank; Conlan rematch looms

Vldadimir Nikitin signed with Top Rank, which will pave the way for a rematch with amateur rival Michael Conlan, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Nikitin defeated Conlan in the 2016 Olympics which participated Conlan infamously sticking up his middle finger at the judges.

Nikitin, 28, will make his professional debut in a six-round featherweight fight against an opponent to be determined on July 14 at the Lakefront Arena on the campus of the University of New Orleans.

“A showdown with Conlan is eventually going to happen,” Top Rank Vice-President Carl Moretti said. “To put it in New York or Ireland would be incredible because of the history between the two. Nikitin is fully aware that the goal is to get to a Conlan rematch in the pro ranks. It’s probably a year or so away.”

Moretti said Top Rank also signed him because Nikitin “fits in with the other featherweights we have. While the main goal is to fight Conlan, it doesn’t rule out fighting Shakur or anyone else for that matter.”

“I think he’s a very talented and also a very exciting fighter in the ring and we could have signed with other promoters,” manager Egis Klimas said. “But the No. 1 reason we signed with Top Rank was to make sure he can fight Conlan and erase the doubts people have from the Olympics. Let them meet in the professional ranks and bring a big fight for the fans. Both guys want that fight and it will be an easy fight to make.”