Professional boxing can be cruel and Conlan has endured tough moments through the course of his career, none more so than in March 2022 when he was on course for victory against then WBA champion Leigh Wood but was knocked out in the 12th round.
Harsh lessons in the ring have helped give him a fresh perspective and now he acknowledges that, while still in possession of inner confidence, he is not infallible inside the squared circle.
“Boxing is a sport which you can love as much as you want, but it will never love you back,” Conlan said.
“When you’re younger in the fight game, ego is huge. You think you’re unbeatable and you’re never going to lose, but not everybody’s Floyd Mayweather.
“Boxing can humble you, especially when you lose. You’re losing in front of thousands, millions, watching around the world. It’s hard.
“You get people talking. It’s not a nice feeling, but once you realise words are just words, the only way they affect you is if you let them.”
The 2015 world amateur champion has a route mapped for the next year and should he safely navigate the test posed by Bateson, he plans to return later in the year to fight “maybe in Belfast, Dublin or even New York” with the hope that could then open the door to another world title opportunity.
However, Conlan is savvy enough to know that such plans are worthless should he be defeated on 5 September.
“Jack’s a tough opponent, so I think it’s the right fight at the right time,” Conlan said.
“If I was to lose and, listen, there’s every possibility in that, I would happily say that’s it, but until then I’m not done.
“I want to get a world title. If I don’t reach it, I don’t reach it, but I’m going to do everything I can to make sure I reach that goal.”
