MICHAEL Conlan is no stranger to a career rebuild and the fourth pathway to the top starts at the Brighton Centre tomorrow evening. After Conlan’s seventh-round stoppage loss to Jordan Gill (his third career defeat, all by KO) in December 2023, many thought the Belfastman would hang up the gloves.
A long period of soul-searching has led him into the arms of the Sauerlands and a Channel 5 supporting slot to Tyrone McKenna’s crack at Harlem Eubank. While previous defeats to world-level operators like Leigh Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez could be excused, the Gill loss was unexpected and Mick will need to display his customary sharpness against India’s Asad Asif Khan.
“I feel renewed and even my goals have been refreshed as now I know what I’ve got to do in order to achieve. I don’t skip corners anyway, but this is different to what I’ve been feeling over the last lot of years,” Conlan told Belfast Media Group.
“I feel like I have a purpose. I’m not fighting for money, but just to be a champion and that’s it.”
The latest comeback trail is in association with Grant Smith, father of world title aspirant Dalton Smith. Conlan spent his early career under the tutelage of Adam Booth, although that relationship fizzled out as some questioned the tactical decisions around Mick’s loss to Lopez. Smith’s role will be pivotal if the world title dream is to be realised finally.
“I really like Grant as a coach and as a man. He’s not trying to change me as a boxer, but what he is doing is pulling me up on my mistakes, which is what I have needed, and tweaking little things.
“I’m 33 years of age, no spring chicken; I’m no Olympic medallist or any of that. It’s just a case of having talent, ability, dedication and hard work, so put that together with a bit of luck and you will get there,” Conlan told BMG.
