LIAM Conroy is impressed with the progress fellow Barrow ABC product Mike McGoldrick has made since turning professional.

The former Brook Street amateurs got to spar together recently in preparation for their respective contests this Friday at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester.

It only came about because Conroy, who is making his return from eight months out of the ring due to injury, was unable to spar with members of the visiting Italy national team at Johnney Roye’s gym in Preston and the 26-year-old was pleased to see how much McGoldrick has come on.

“Because I’m quite heavy at the moment, they wanted me to spar their heavyweight, but he was injured so I couldn’t do any sparring with them,” said Conroy.

“All of the other national team lads were a bit to small for me and I ended up doing a few rounds with Goldie, and he’s doing well and coming on.

“It’s good to see he’s doing well and coming on, and it’s good to see where he was when I left the gym injured to where he is now when I was sparring him.

The light-heavtweight pair were regular sparring partners when they were both representing Barrow ABC and Conroy was happy to renew that.

“Tt’s good to help each other,” said Conroy.

“We used to spar each other at Brook Street when I was 16. Now we’re back sparring and helping each other out, which is decent.”