Michael Conlan eyes final push as he headlines 3Arena debut in September

Michael Bolton

After 15 months out of the ring, Belfast boxer Michael Conlan made his return in March this year to defeat Asad Asif Khan in Brighton.

It was a long road since December 2023, when he was defeated by Jordan Gill in Belfast, and for the first time in his professional career, lost two fights in a row.

Prior to that, Conaln's second chance at a world title did not go his way when he lost to Luis Alberto Lopez.

After the Gill defeat, it looked like Conlan's days could be over.

Speaking to Breakingnews.ie, Conlan said time away from the sport made him focus on what he needs to do on his return to boxing.

"There were doubts in my head, but once I looked at my goals, and saw my vision of what I wanted to do, I knew I still wasn't done.

"I looked to the future, and saw and understood what was left in me, if I can still achieve what I want to achieve. I believe that is still in me, and I can get there; that is my reason for coming back.

"I have goals and things I want to achieve. It is hard to get back into the swing of things, but now I am back in full flow, and I am in a good place."

Not one to relax and sit still out of the ring, Conlan kept active and fit in his time away from the sport, both for body and mind.

"I've done an awful lot of running. I did a marathon during that time, I always need to do something to keep myself occupied, keep my mind occupied, or I might lose my mind.

"I did a two-hour 55-minute marathon in Manchester last year on my time off.

"In terms of watching boxing, I could watch boxing no problem, but the thing is I don't watch much boxing anyway.

"I don't watch anything to do with my work. I have been in boxing for 27 years, it is a long time. It is not something I want to be around or focus on a lot."

From winning bronze in the Olympics in London, to becoming world and European champion in amateurs, to the infamous defeat in the Rio Olympics, and being seconds away from becoming world champion against Leigh Wood, it has been quite the journey for the Belfast boxer.

After being in the sport for so long, this is the final push for Conlan.

As he approaches the final steps of his journey, he prioritised planning for life after boxing during his time away from the sport.

"Let's be honest, there is no doubt about it, I am probably at the tail end of my career. I am no longer the young kid, I am the old man.

"The fact I am still here and still working away, is a good thing. You have to think about the future; you can't just think everything is going to be alright.

"You need to have plans. For any fighter at the start of their career, you have to think about what is next. I made sure I had things in place when it was time to say goodbye."

On September 5th, Conlan will headline the 3Arena in Dublin for the first time in his career when he takes on Jack Bateson.

A familiar opponent for Conlan, he is looking forward to what should be an exciting night for Irish boxing.

"Jack is a good lad, I know him personally. We have sparred some rounds and stuff. I know him as a person and a fighter; he is a good fighter.

"He is a dangerous opponent, because this is Jack's big chance to shine, and he is going to do everything he can to upset the apple cart. I have got to do what I can to stop that."

September is going to be a memorable month for Irish boxing, with a new champion from Ireland guaranteed when Lewis Croker faces Paddy Donovan in Belfast after Conlan's bout in Dublin.

After years without the biggest shows coming to the country, it is an exciting time to be a boxing fan in Ireland, and Conlan credits Katie Taylor for making it happen.

"It is something I wanted to do for a long time, and now I finally get to do it, so I am very excited. I think it is a fantastic time for Irish boxing with more shows in Dublin.

"I will be the first person to headline both the SSE and the 3 Arena. To be the only Irishman to do both is great because it means I am still creating history, which is a good thing.

"Katie is the Queen of Irish boxing; her coming back made it easier for us all to come back."