ANY OCCASION where a homegrown star fights on home soil, the opponent is expected to play the role of B-side, background noise, the man written off before the opening bell. Two years ago, Northampton’s Chantelle Cameron felt that sting when she landed in Dublin as undisputed super-lightweight champion, yet found herself treated like an afterthought on Katie Taylor’s stage. She left with the win – and rewrote history.
Jack Bateson has made the same trip from Leeds to Dublin, but without world titles in his luggage. Instead, he brings ambition. His task on Friday night at the 3Arena is stark: end Michael Conlan’s career, propel his own to boxing’s promised land, and secure a better future for his young family.
“The best Michael Conlan was a good few years ago now,” Bateson told Boxing News over the phone. “He’s had some heavy losses and the sort of losses where you’ve got to look at him now and think the punch resistance may be damaged. I do believe him and his team have probably accepted the fight with me because they think I can’t punch, but it’s my point to prove on the 5th of September that I can.”
Bateson’s assessment has bite. Conlan has lost three of his last six, but each defeat came against serious firepower: Leigh Wood, Luis Alberto Lopez, and Jordan Gill.
He was stopped in every one – violently. Against Wood, he was knocked clean out of the ring. Against Lopez and Gill, his legs betrayed him under heavy hands.
On paper, Conlan’s résumé dwarfs Bateson’s. The Irishman’s amateur pedigree, Olympic background, and headline slots contrast sharply with Bateson’s mostly small-hall career. Yet the damage sustained in those defeats has left Conlan’s career dangling by a thread. One more setback could send him into retirement. That doesn’t reset the equation, but it narrows the gap. It gives Bateson more than a puncher’s chance.
“I’m prepared for 10 hard rounds but if I can catch him I’m pretty sure I can make my mark on him and I think he’ll get a shock,” Bateson said.
He admits nerves will be there, but insists they will rest heavier on Conlan’s shoulders.
“There’ll be nerves but there’s not really any pressure on me,” he continued. “I’ve said this to a few people, there’s a lot of pressure on him. He’s fighting in his home country in front of all his supporters. I think a lot of people will probably write me off from the offset, especially the Irish supporters but I’ve got Irish in my blood.
“I’ve got an Irish family. My nan is fully Irish and my two great-grandparents on the other side were fully Irish so I’ve got quite a lot of Irish family. It’s going to be good. I’ve fought there many times as an amateur but it’s the first time as a pro and I know the Irish people are very welcoming and they love the boxing so it’s going to be great. I’m looking forward to it.”
From the outside, this has the feel of a free hit. Bateson’s career has largely been played out on the small-hall circuit, though he’s sampled the big-fight buzz on Josh Warrington undercards in Leeds. For fighters, the “no-lose situation” label can cut both ways – liberating some, paralysing others. For Bateson, the stakes are clear. Conlan may be expected to win, but the Yorkshireman knows victory would ignite his career like nothing else.
His biggest night so far ended in defeat to Shabaz Masoud. Since then, opportunities have been sporadic. Facing Conlan is like holding a lottery ticket where a few numbers have already dropped. Bateson wants the jackpot.
“I’ve got a lot to prove and a lot to achieve in this fight and this fight can change the trajectory of my career massively,” he said. “I think beating Michael would set me up for a big promotional deal, big fights, even world title fights after beating Michael so it really is a big opportunity for me and it’s one I’m fully prepared for and I’ve got to make the most of.”
The years since the Masoud loss haven’t been easy. A promising clash with Danny Quartermaine last December in a messy technical draw after both men suffered cuts. Before that, frustration had mounted.
“I’ve been unfortunate not to have had a big promoter backing me who can sort of get me back on the ball straight away but I’ve stayed loyal to the game,” Bateson reflected.
“I’ve never left the gym and I’m lucky I’ve got a good team that believe in me. I’ve got a good team of sponsors who are able to support me and allow me to train full-time because it’s been challenging.
“There’s times, especially at the start of this year when nothing was happening and Quartermaine didn’t take the rematch with me and felt a little bit like is this going to work out? But we’re here now so hopefully the year is going to end a lot better than what it began.”
