Thread: Michael Conlan still wants to fight

Belfast featherweight Michael Conlan says "the only reason" he is still boxing is to win a world title.

Conlan last fought in December 2023 when he suffered a knockout defeat by Jordan Gill.

The 33-year-old’s seventh-round stoppage by Gill came after world title defeats by Leigh Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez.

And after a year out of the ring when it looked like his career may be over, the Belfast native is targeting a return in 2025 as he looks to work his way back into world title contention.

"[Winning a world title] is the only reason I'm still boxing, I still want to be a world champion, and I still believe I have the ability to go and do that," he told BBC Sport NI.

"This is the trial to get back to that."

Conlan is aiming for a number of fights this year, starting with a bout in March, and believes he is ready to get back in the ring after a long absence.

"Most likely I'll be back out in March, a comeback style fight, 8-10 rounds, get that one done and probably fight another three times so four times in total this year," he added.

"It will be a busy one which I need after a nice break and now I'm back at it."

The Olympic bronze medallist says that there were "ups and downs" during his year off in 2024, but that the break was hugely beneficial.

"It wasn't the best year of my life, there was stuff that happened, that is life, but it was also very enjoyable to have some rest, and I think it's done me the world of good," Conlan said.

"It is the longest I've ever had off from boxing, the body has been rested, the mind has been rested and now I'm hungry to get back and get the job done."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/c5yvn2e9rl2o

Originally Posted by Master

Belfast featherweight Michael Conlan says "the only reason" he is still boxing is to win a world title.

Conlan last fought in December 2023 when he suffered a knockout defeat by Jordan Gill.

The 33-year-old’s seventh-round stoppage by Gill came after world title defeats by Leigh Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez.

And after a year out of the ring when it looked like his career may be over, the Belfast native is targeting a return in 2025 as he looks to work his way back into world title contention.

"[Winning a world title] is the only reason I'm still boxing, I still want to be a world champion, and I still believe I have the ability to go and do that," he told BBC Sport NI.

"This is the trial to get back to that."

Conlan is aiming for a number of fights this year, starting with a bout in March, and believes he is ready to get back in the ring after a long absence.

"Most likely I'll be back out in March, a comeback style fight, 8-10 rounds, get that one done and probably fight another three times so four times in total this year," he added.

"It will be a busy one which I need after a nice break and now I'm back at it."

The Olympic bronze medallist says that there were "ups and downs" during his year off in 2024, but that the break was hugely beneficial.

"It wasn't the best year of my life, there was stuff that happened, that is life, but it was also very enjoyable to have some rest, and I think it's done me the world of good," Conlan said.

"It is the longest I've ever had off from boxing, the body has been rested, the mind has been rested and now I'm hungry to get back and get the job done."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/c5yvn2e9rl2o

Conlan's biggest achievement is getting under 3hrs for the Marathon, a white Irishman who don't run track ? Getting a time like that ? WOW. Boy must have some Kenyan in his DNA. I challenge anyone to go to a gym and crank the treadmill up to 8.3mph and maintain that pace for 3hrs, let's be honest most ppl in Saddo could not even last 3 mins at that pace. Conlan ? He's no where near as good as he thinks he is, having said that their are no marquee world champs at Featherweight and him against WBA champ Nick Ball, though Ball would be FAV, I'd be far from certain Ball would win.

I honestly think if Conlan's name were Lopez or Tyrone Washington, he wouldn't have gotten much press....He's dined out on the fighting white Irish man thing and Irish votes are important, at least in the US. But he could play on that and comeback in BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship). He could be a champ there and with McGregor as part owner, he could well be a star in that organization.

Bu pro boxing ? Well, he's a very good technical fighter but he has a suspect chin and below average power so unfortunately that will be his downfall at world level, especially with his best days now clearly behind him.

If he comes down a level then I'd give him probably a 50/50 shot to beat Mauro Forte for the EBU belt and I'd certainly be interested in seeing him fight guys like Lee McGregor, Jack Bateson, Luca Rigoldi, Isaac Lowe, Jazza Dickens