Walsh stuns Conlan to secure points win in Belfast

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Walsh stuns Conlan to secure points win in Belfast

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Kevin Walsh produced a stunning upset over Michael Conlan with a split decision victory that put a dagger in the Belfast man’s hopes of securing a third world title opportunity.

The 33-year-old American maintained his perfect record which extends to 20 wins in as many competitions, while Conlan’s record now drops to 20-4.

While Conlan had high hopes of landing a shot against WBC featherweight champion Bruce Carrington later in the year, it was Walsh who called this fight at the end of a 10-round battle where two of the judges scored it 96-94 in his favor, with the third scoring it 97-93 in Conlan’s favor.

It was a fight that never really came to life despite a few brief moments where Conlan looked to box rather than brawl and, although Walsh was never in control, his moments were enough to see him earn a career-best victory.

“I was very confident that I had done the job,” Walsh told DAZN afterward.

“It was definitely a close fight. Well done to Mick Conlan: I was always a fan of his, but he couldn’t understand me. He was a hell of a fighter, but his time is up.

“‘Shu Shu’ [Carrington]where are you? Let’s go, but it’s my time.

Walsh, confident, silences the home crowd

Walsh throws a left to Conlan's body — Walsh throws a left to Conlan’s body [Getty Images]

Walsh danced around the ring, exuding the confidence of a man who had yet to taste defeat as a professional, and although he was far from his home in Brockton, Massachusetts, he seemed at home.

Conlan came out for the opening bell in the orthodox stance, but quickly reverted to southpaw in what was an extremely cautious start from both, but a left hand from the Belfast man seemed to breathe life into the challenger with Walsh crossing over with the right hand.

A gash had opened on Conlan’s forehead in the second – the result of a blow to the head – with blood flowing freely.

He remained cautious for the most part, with Conlan looking to find a home for the jab, but they temporarily traded in close to close the round and it was in this area that Walsh looked dangerous.

The American constantly made feints and sometimes instigated them, looking to gain an advantage over Conlan, but the Belfast man remained calm, refusing to overcommit as he looked for an error from the American in a chess match or a fight.

Both seemed extremely respectful of each other’s power, which meant the scoring moments of the first half were fleeting and limited to single shots, but Conlan appeared to have more as his footwork left the American short on his sporadic raids, but he had an opportunity to work inside in the seventh thanks to a brief exchange.

While the blood from Conlan’s previous cut seemed to have stopped, a gash to the right eye was now a problem in the eighth, which offered Walsh some encouragement, but he still didn’t press fully in the ninth, except for a brief moment near the end of a round that Conlan seemed to control with his movement.

The visitor opened the 10th and final round with intent but fully sustained the attack, but he pressed a little more and ultimately, it was enough to see him home.

Is this the end for Conlan?

It was a return to Belfast for the first time since his defeat to Jordan Gill in December 2023 which left him with plenty to think about career-wise.

After a 16-month hiatus, Conlan returned in March 2025 under new coach Grant Smith, securing a points victory over Asad Asif Khan in Brighton before stopping Jack Bateson in Dublin six months later.

However, the SSE Arena once again proved to be the scene of another night of disappointment and perhaps the last.

At 34 years old, time is not on his side for another rebuild and this may be the last time he leaves the ring with his bid to return to a world title for now.

Perhaps a big win could repair that damage as it wasn’t really about being outclassed or outright beaten, but it was Walsh’s night and the man from Massachusetts is now clamoring for a shot at top honors.

This victory will certainly propel his career forward and winning away proved to be a gamble worth taking.

He has certainly entered the conversation at featherweight and will look to secure his own big opportunity next.