Mick Conlan retires after surprise Belfast defeat to Kevin Walsh
mick conlan confirmed the end of his professional boxing career after a split decision loss to Kevin Walsh at Belfast’s SSE Arena. The Belfast fighter, whose record finishes at 20-4, said the defeat fulfilled a vow that his next loss would end his career. Walsh won two 96-94 scorecards to claim the WBC International featherweight title while Conlan had been aiming for another shot at world honours.
Mick Conlan calls time in a sombre dressing room
Michael Conlan, boxer, spoke directly after the fight in a dressing room described as sombre. “I said that the next defeat, no matter the circumstances, would be me finished with boxing and it has come, ” Conlan said. He added: “I didn’t think I lost, but I wasn’t good enough and that’s just a fact. For me to become a world champion I need to be beating guys like that and beating them well. That was too close for comfort. ” Conlan also told reporters he was 34 and that he did not want to continue, finishing, “I don’t want to do it anymore so it’s time to say goodbye to boxing. “
Fight details and decisive moments
The contest never settled into a sustained, telling sequence. Walsh, the 33-year-old visitor from Brockton, Massachusetts, remained unbeaten and danced to the ring with clear confidence. Judges returned two 96-94 cards for Walsh and a 97-93 card for Conlan, producing the split decision that ended Conlan’s run. A head clash in the second round opened a gash on Conlan’s forehead, and a later cut by his right eye troubled him in the eighth. Conlan started in an orthodox stance but reverted to southpaw during the bout; both fighters were cautious for long stretches, with Walsh feinting consistently and finding moments to press on the inside.
Walsh took the initiative in the 10th and final round, pressing more than earlier in the contest, and that late uptick in activity proved enough to secure the narrow victory and the WBC International featherweight title. The visitor’s perfect professional record now stands at 20 wins from 20 contests, while Conlan’s professional ledger closes at 20-4.
Quick context
Conlan had hoped a victory would set up a third shot at top honours in the professional ranks and eyed a possible clash with the WBC featherweight champion later in the year. The fight in Belfast was described in coverage as largely cautious, with only brief, meaningful exchanges.
What’s next
Kevin Walsh departs Belfast with a WBC International title and an unblemished record, a result that may reshape his path in the division. For his part, the decision means that mike conlan will step away from professional boxing and that any plans for another world title bid are now closed; Conlan has said he is finished. The coming weeks should see formal confirmation of Conlan’s retirement and the winner’s team charting a course for the newly crowned WBC International featherweight champion.
