BOXER Michael Conlan is through to the bantamweight final at the World championship in Doha.
European Champion Conlan defeated 19-year-old Dzmitry Asanau from Belarus in three rounds, with Ireland now guaranteed at least one silver medal at the Championships.
The Belfast bantamweight secured a unanimous decision in Sunday's semi-final with a scorecard of 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28.
Conlan, 23, - who has already qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympics - said that “patience” was key in securing victory over his Belarussian opponent.
“I needed to have patience, I didn't panic and I had to stick to the game plan. He is a young lad and I knew he would fold and he wouldn't have the patience,” he said. “The final will be for my daughter. I am really looking forward to it. I was aware that two of the judges had given the second round to him so the coaches told me I needed the last round.”
Conlan dedicated the victory to his brother Jamie, who was celebrating his birthday.
But he has plans to do the same for his daughter on Wednesday, when he meets Murodjon Akhmadaliev from Uzbekistan in the final.
