The Olympic medalist is bidding goodbye to the ring.
Michael Conlan faced Kevin Walsh at the SSE Arena in Belfast on March 20.
Heading into the bout, Conlan had WBC featherweight champion Bruce Carrington firmly in his sights for later in the year, should he emerge victorious.
However, lesser-known Walsh outclassed the Irishman to become the new WBC international featherweight champion.
After suffering his fourth career defeat, Conlan announced his retirement from the sport.
He explained to reporters post-fight: “I said that the next defeat, no matter the circumstances, would be me finished with boxing, and it has come.
“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.
“I’m 34 now, too long in the tooth. I thought I won, but it is what it is.
“I don’t want to do it anymore, so it’s time to say goodbye to boxing.”
As Michael Conlan closes the chapter on his career, he ultimately falls short of his dream of claiming a world championship.
Despite the emotions he is likely feeling upon his departure from boxing, Conlan seems to be trying to keep life as normal as possible.
He confirmed on Instagram this morning: “Yes, I lost last night. It happened. The end of the road.
“But, do you think I’m gonna miss the half-9 tee time the next morning?
“Not a f****** chance.”
The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist can certainly look back fondly on his career, having burst onto the professional scene and compiled an impressive 16-0 record in his first four years.
It wasn’t until he faced Leigh Wood in 2022 that he suffered his first defeat.
Since then, Conlan went on to amass a 20-4 record before retiring.
Thank you. Slán go fóill💥🥊💚 pic.twitter.com/M5KB6RLJYC
— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) March 21, 2026
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