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Michael Conlan, the Irish fighter whose loss in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight tournament at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics was one of the most controversial of the boxing tournament, is going pro.Conlan signed a multiyear deal with Top Rank at the company offices in Las Vegas on Monday and will fight primarily in the United States.He plans to begin his career in the 122-pound junior featherweight division and is likely to make his professional debut in March on St. Patricks Day weekend at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Top Rank president Todd duBoef told ESPN.com.I think this is an incredible signing for Top Rank and incredible for boxing in America, because he will fight the majority of his fights here in the U.S., building a big fan base in the Irish community, duBoef said. We think he is the next big star in boxing in America. Theres a huge Irish population here in the United States.Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but Conlan and Top Rank said he would fight at least six times in 2017, with one of the bouts taking place in Ireland.Im really looking forward to all of this, Conlan told ESPN.com. I couldnt be with a better team than Top Rank. Theyll take me to a world title. Im looking forward to the journey.Said manager Matthew Macklin, a former longtime middleweight contender: Everyone wanted to sign him, but once we touched base with Top Rank, we locked into that. We believe they will be the best to develop Michaels career and build him into a pay-per-view star. His bags are packed to be based in America. We believe he is with the right people and will become a huge pay-per-view star here and on the other side of the Atlantic.Conlan, who turns 25 in November, said he loves the idea of turning pro on St. Patricks Day weekend in New York, where Irish boxing fans have a reputation for giving their fighters tremendous support.I think its every Irish fighters dream to fight on that weekend in New York, Conlan said. Its going to be big. Ill take the opportunity with both hands.Top Rank chairman Bob Arum has signed several Olympians through the years and developed them into world champions and pay-per-view stars, including Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto. He said Conlan will follow in their footsteps.This kid, I feel, is something special, Arum said. Theres something about this kid. He has a lovely personality and, obviously, based on what my matchmakers say, he has ability, which is what counts. As far as his personality, he lights up the room. The fans are going to love this kid. Im going to hit all the Irish cities -- New York, Boston and over in Ireland also.Conlans elimination from the Rio Olympics in a decision loss to Russias Vladimir Nikitin in the bantamweight quarterfinals was one of the most controversial of the boxing tournament and partly responsible for the International Boxing Association (AIBA), which oversees amateur boxing, sending several judges and referees home from the tournament for failure to perform up to the expected standard.After the defeat, an emotional Conlan raised both of his middle fingers at the judges while still in the ring and then ripped them and AIBA. He had so dominated the fight that Nikitin was too busted up to fight in the semifinals and withdrew from the competition, giving American Shakur Stevenson a walkover into the gold-medal match.After the decision, Conlan said: AIBA cheats, AIBA f---ing cheats. Thats me; Ill never box for AIBA again. Theyre cheating b------. Theyre paying everybody. I dont give a f--- for cursing on TV. Thats the end of my Olympic gold. My dream has been shattered now.I have a big career ahead of me. These ones are known for being cheats. They have always been cheats. Amateur boxing stinks, from the core right to the top. I thought I boxed the ears off him in the first round, but they scored it against me. So I had to fight his fight, which I did. I outfought him. Its a shambles, to be honest.Conlan said the judging controversy in Rio will drive him as a professional but that he will get over it.I think what happened will be the driving force for me to become the greatest Irish fighter ever, because it will give me a kick, like it did for Roy Jones and Floyd Mayweather, Conlan said, referring to Jones and Mayweathers controversial losses in Olympic bouts. I can get over things really fast, and I can push on. I wont forget it, but now I will focus on becoming a world champion and a star with Top Rank.Conlan, who won a flyweight bronze medal at the 2012 London Games and gold medals at the 2015 World Amateur Championships and European Championships, is the most decorated Irish amateur in history. Now he aims to be Irelands greatest professional fighter.I think I have a great following already, and my goal is to be Irelands greatest ever fighter, Conlan said. I believe I can be that. I think Im the guy to do that. I will give the Irish fans something to shout about. I think I can be a three-weight world champion.Conlan, whose 29-year-old brother, Jamie Conlan (17-0, 11 KOs), is a professional featherweight, said his aim is to win a title at junior featherweight and then move up to win world titles at featherweight and junior lightweight.Only two Irishmen have won world titles in two weight classes: Irelands Steve Collins and Northern Irelands Carl Frampton, who did it on July 30 by outpointing Leo Santa Cruz to win a featherweight belt in Brooklyn, New York.Conlan is the second 2016 Olympian to go with Top Rank, which last month signed lightweight gold medalist Robson Conceicao, 27, a three-time Olympian who thrilled the home fans in Rio by becoming the first Brazilian boxer in history to win an Olympic gold medal.Top Rank also signed several Olympians after the 2012 Games, including two-time Ukrainian gold medalist Vasyl Lomachenko, who has gone on to win featherweight and junior lightweight world titles, and Mexicos Oscar Valdez, who won a featherweight world title in July.Arum said he is always interested in signing the cream of the crop from the amateurs.Were not crazy, so were not running after a million guys, Arum said. We want only quality. Conlan is quality. In the old days, we had to run after people, and now they run to us because of our reputation. They know we know how to build a fighter into a superstar. Travis Zajac Devils Jersey .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. Ken Daneyko Devils Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. http://www.devilssale.com/authentic-blake-coleman-devils-jersey/ . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Mirco Mueller Jersey . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Jamie Langenbrunner Jersey .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. NEW YORK -- Swin Cash promised she wouldnt cry. She kept her word.The 15-year WNBA veteran held it together for a 50-minute postgame ceremony in her honor after the New York Liberty lost to the Seattle Storm 102-78 on Wednesday night. Cash announced in June that she would retire at the end of the season.I set a goal for myself, youre not going to (cry), Cash said. My eyes were watering up and going back down. I was definitely teary-eyed. Lot of moments that hit close to home.Cash started her speech saying how difficult it was to speak after a loss.I hate losing, Im very uncomfortable because Im thinking about the game, she said during her 10-minute speech.Cash went on to thank her former coaches, teammates, players and even the ushers and security staff.The three-time WNBA champion closed saying: I love the game, I respect the game and now Im giving it all back to you.Even though the Liberty lost, they clinched the third seed in the WNBA playoffs with Chicagos loss to Washington. New York has a first- round bye and will play the lowest remaining seed in the second round.You dont want to backdoor into the playoffs, Cash said. Thats the thing we talked about. Glad we clinched third, but we need to get our players back and get on track.New York was still without Tanisha Wright (knee), Kiah Stokes (hip) and Shoni Schimmel (concussion).The victory helped Seattle move into seventh place in the playoff chase. Jewell Loyd scored 25 points and Breanna Stewart added 23 for the Storm (133-17).dddddddddddd Seattle has four games left in the regular season.Were approaching every game like its a playoff game, said Sue Bird, who had the audience laughing with a series of hashtags when she spoke during the retirement ceremony. With the new playoff format, it gives everyone new life. You used to dread potentially being the fourth-seed and having to play the one first. Now you can get a few wins and you never know.With the game tied at 48 early in the third quarter, the Storm went on a 13-3 run to take control of the game. Stewart got the burst started and Bird capped it with a 3-pointer that made it 61-51. New York (20-10) couldnt get within eight the rest of the way.Tina Charles led the Liberty with 22 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Sugar Rodgers added 15 points.Seattle ended an eight-game losing streak against the Liberty.Every win this time of year is big. Weve been in playoff mode. Every game matters, were fighting to get in, Seattle coach Jenny Boucek said. This team is really enjoying playing with each other and we dont want the season to end.Boucek, who was an assistant coach in Seattle when Cash was on the team, was so happy that her team was able to be a part of the ceremony Wednesday night.She was a joy to coach, Boucek said. I used to joke with her that `win is even in her name. That so much embodies who she is. ' ' '