Michael Conlan on polarising opinion and being viewed as a "mad bigot"

Michael Conlan accepts he might polarise opinion, and that some people probably think he's a "mad bigot".

But he insists his critics have got it wrong when it comes to his boxing and beliefs.

The Belfast boxer will bid to become WBA world featherweight champion on March 12 in Nottingham.

Champion Leigh Wood will stand in the way of Conlan and a first world belt, and the realisation of a lifelong dream.

Carl Frampton on wife Christine's "grief" over new autobiography

The 30-year-old's career has been punctuated by hype, fanfare, success and controversy.

He has built up a passionate, loyal support along the way, but Conlan admits being a "proud Irishman" has probably cost him fans along the way.

“I would say so," he told the News Ireland podcast The Rocky Road.

"People think I’m this mad bigot which is f****** crazy. They think I’m someone who hates Protestants and stuff which is completely wrong.

“I’m just a proud Irishman. I love my country, and if they asked me do I want a United Ireland I would say, ‘Yes, 100 per cent’.

“I’ve always been honest and up front about who I am. I wouldn’t be true to myself if I did hide it. Has it cost me fans — 100 per cent.

“People get the wrong idea of what Irishness is and how one person can express their Irishness.

“I’m not saying I agree with a war and everything that happened, I’m just saying that I’m an Irishman and a proud one."

One flashpoint came in 2019 when Conlan headlined Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York on St Patrick's Day.

His ring walk song that night was the Wolfe Tones’ Celtic Symphony which contains the lyric ‘Ooh Ahh Up The Ra’ .

Conlan was met with a wave of criticism following the fight, with politicians including then First Minister Arlene Foster among