Two-time Olympian and former title challenger Michael Conlan is hanging up the gloves after dropping a split decision to Kevin Walsh in Belfast earlier today. The Belfast Telegraph presents his comments in full, including his disappointment at never claiming a championship belt and his desire to spend more time in his family’s lives.
That defeat would prove the beginning of the end for Conlan’s professional run. An IBF title shot against Luis Alberto Lopez turned into a five-round mauling, after which he suffered another stoppage loss to the light-punching Jordan Gill. He’s fought just three times in the 2.5 years since, culminating in today’s ultra-thin defeat.
I respect Conlan for acknowledging that, though he thought he deserved the win, he had no chance of winning a world title if he couldn’t comfortably beat this level of opposition. As he puts it, he reached “some serious highs” and gets out with his health intact. May the road rise to meet you, Mick.
