Down but not out, Michael Conlan aims for ring return
Michael Conlan’s professional career looked to be all but over after his knockout defeat to Jordan Gill back in December, yet it seems that the Northern Irishman is not yet ready to hang up the gloves, as he is now being linked to a surprise return under the bright lights.
Conlan’s amateur pedigree made him seem destined for a world title, but featherweight gold has proven to be as elusive as the slick ‘Mick’ himself, being knocked out in both world title challenges against Leigh Wood and then Luis Alberto Lopez.
The 32-year-old was expected to bounce back to winning ways following defeat to the Mexican, but instead found himself contemplating retirement, after a shock stoppage loss to Gill.
Now the Ulsterman seems further away from a world title shot than ever, but The Irish News reports that former world amateur champion could return on a mammoth bill at the Feile an Phobail, a community arts festival in West Belfast, alongside Tyrone McKenna who retired after a loss to Lewis Crocker on the Conlan-Gill undercard.
“Tyrone McKenna versus Ricky Burns, Pody McCrory against Luke Keeler and the possible return of Michael Conlan are among the potential, but as yet unconfirmed, highlights of a blockbuster fight card at this summer’s Feile an Phobail in West Belfast.”
Also being linked is Padraig McCrory, who gave a spirited yet unsuccessful performance on Saturday night in Orlando against Edgar Berlanga before being stopped in the sixth-round, whilst Michael Conlan was in his corner.
This would be the fourth ‘Feile Fight Night’, with McCrory fighting on all three previous cards and Conlan featuring in both the 2019 and 2021 bills, but not appearing last year. Whilst an opponent has not been confirmed for the two-time featherweight world title challenger, the dates of the festival have, with the dates of Thursday August 1st – Sunday August 11th penned in.