Olympic medalist plotting end to world title wait as he edges closer to fight with US world champion

Michael Conlan has been unfortunate to never win a world title, but believes he is on the cusp of his deserved glory.

Conlan is an extremely gifted fighter who has a vast raft of achievements as an amateur and a professional.

Mikey Williams/Top Rank

The Irishman scooped a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics albeit in huge controversy having done enough to progress to the fina.

He turned professional in 2016 and made a sharp rise winning his first 16 fights.

But upon his first leap into world level against Leigh Wood, he was emphatically knocked out in one of boxing’s most iconic moments that year.

Conlan has been desperate to get his name on a world title belt, but he was unsuccessful in his authentic attempt at silverware being knocked out by Luis Alberto Lopez in 2023.

Although for the well-followed Irishman, there is still time to end his hoodoo and get the world glory he so craves.

The WBC international title holder will face undefeated Kevin Walsh this Friday in Belfast, in what is perceived to be a big step to earning his title shot.

And victory could set up a blockbuster clash with undefeated US title holder Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington.

Conlan wants Carrington at Madison Square Garden

Conlan believes that a fight with Carrington makes huge sense, and wants to take over iconic venue Madison Square Garden in New York.

He told talkSPORT.com in an exclusive chat: “It’d be a dream come true it would be so fitting.

“Bruce is from New York, I have a huge following in New York. The Garden is where I start my career and the Garden is where I want to end my career.

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“When I beat this guy, I have been told this Bruce fight could be coming.

“I would love to dance with him in the ring;. It’s a dangerous fight but they all are that level

“But he is a great, great champion and someone I’d love to get the chance to face.”

When could the fight happen?

Kalle Sauerland told talkSPORT that Carrington is a target for Conlan after he beat Castro to capture the belt in January.

And he has suggested the fight is being pencilled in for October.

He told talkSPORT: “This is a massive fight for Mick Conlan.

Boxing schedule

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“He’s been 90 seconds from a world title in the past, it’s all-or-nothing.

“If he wins that fight, there is a very good chance he will get that shot against Carrington for the belt.

“We have a pencilled honour on Madison Square Garden for October if he can win.”

Conlan – ending the wait for a world title

Conlan is one of the best fighters active in the sport right now to have not got his hands on a title.

The 34-year-old has been involved in big nights and has the Olympic success to his name.

Mikey Williams/Top Rank

But he is solely driven by his long-awaited goal, and believes it would be a fitting end to a stellar career.

“Yeah of course it’s the only reason I have come back [to become world champion],” Conlan continued.

“That’s the main reason I’m back, it is not about money, it is for me to become world champion.

“If I lose again, then that would be it because I won’t have a chance of being a champion then.

“But I’m going to be world champion, but I need to get through Kevin Walsh and put on a masterclass.

“I’ve done some f***ing great things in the sport so to not be a world champion would be a shame.

“To do this would cap it all off and then I could step back when I want.”