English
Michael Conlan Irish Boxer with Marian devotion
A champion with a rosary tattoo
Irish boxer has a rosary tattooed around his neck
One of Ireland’s most successful amateur boxers of all time has shared how he prays for his own safety, as well as his opponent’s well-being before a big match. Belfast’s Michael Conlan, who famously turned professional after accusing officials in amateur boxing of corruption following the 2016 Olympics, opened up about his faith during an appearance on RTE’s The Tommy Tiernan Show, revealing that he got rosary beads tattooed on his neck so that he’ll never lose them.
“I always prayed before a fight and I could never bring the rosary beads in with me so I just decided one day I’ll get them tattooed on me so it saves me having to carry them all the time and losing them,” he said. Speaking further on what he prays for Conlan said: “I’d say three Our Fathers, two Hail Marys and hope to God that I’m going to win, that’s if I hadn’t trained. If I had trained I’d say an Our Father and that was it, I’m all right. I always pray for my opponents, too.”
- First published in the newspaper – The Catholic Universe
