Michael Conlan will return to action in Belfast when facing unbeaten American Kevin Walsh at the SSE Arena on Friday, 20 March.
The 34-year-old’s last appearance in his home city resulted in a stoppage loss to Jordan Gill in December 2023, seven months on from defeat by IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez.
That led to a 15-month hiatus when the 2015 world amateur gold medallist pondered his future, but returned in March 2025 under the guidance of coach Grant Smith with a points win over Asad Asif Khan before delivering a fourth-round stoppage of Jack Bateson in September at Dublin’s 3 Arena, improving his record to 20 wins and three defeats.
Conlan was rumoured to face 33-year-old Walsh [19-0, 10] in New York over the St Patrick’s Day period, but instead will take on the Massachusetts native in his home city as he seeks to work towards a third crack at world honours
“I can’t wait to come back to Belfast to fight on this last run towards a world title,” said Conlan, whose first world title shot ended in agonising defeat by Leigh Wood in 2022.
“I am ready and excited but know I face a very tough opponent in Kevin Walsh, who promises to bring the heat.
“It has all the makings of a special night, as I keep pushing for that shot at world honours, and I plan to savour every second of it, because it’s potentially my last ever fight at home.”
Conlan’s promoter Kalle Sauerland confirmed 20 March “could be the last time he [Conlan] fights in Belfast” as they plot his way to another one last assault on a world featherweight title.
Walsh will travel to Belfast riding the crest of a wave and with two stoppage wins from his four fights in 2025, will feel this is an opportunity to catapult his own career towards a title shot.
“On 20 March I’m coming to ring Micky’s bell fast,” Walsh warned.
“I’m ready to go 20-0. Respect to him and his team for accepting this fight and I know we both will be at our best on fight night, but the kid from Brockton, Massachusetts is coming to Belfast to make a statement.”
