MICHAEL CONLAN, a two-time world title challenger, knows exactly how much pressure is attached to his showdown with Jack Bateson this Friday.
The pair will square off in a featherweight contest at the 3Arena, where Conlan, 19-3 (9 KOs), expects to orchestrate a memorable occasion for his first professional outing in Dublin, Ireland.
Not only that, but victory against Bateson, 20-1-1 (6 KOs), really is the only option for the 33-year-old, who has maintained his world title ambitions despite suffering two defeats at the highest level.
The two-time Olympian’s first attempt saw him fall agonisingly short against Leigh Wood who, in what proved to be a thrilling encounter, was able to halt proceedings with a stunning 12th-round finish in 2022.
Then, against the then-IBF champion Luis Alberto Lopez, Conlan found himself on the receiving end of a far more punishing fifth-round stoppage in 2023.
But now, while admitting that he is under ample pressure to beat Bateson and, in turn, return to world championship level, the Irishman equally acknowledges that he is far too experienced to let any pre-fight emotions get the better of him.
“We’re finally here, albeit in the twilight of my career,” Conlan said at the Wasserman Boxing press conference earlier today.
“I’m not going to lose – that’s the thing – but what will be will be. I’m not saying I’m not going to be nervous – of course I am.
“Of course there’s a certain type of pressure but, to be honest, I don’t feel it in the way I did when I was younger.
“I’m just enjoying it at the minute; I’m really having fun. Teaming up with Grant [Smith] and the guys at Steel City [Gym] has been brilliant.
“It’s kind of revitalised me, and I’m in a really good place – mentally and physically.”
Bateson, meanwhile, had a few words of his own to share, suggesting that he may have been carefully selected as a low-risk opponent for Conlan.
“I’ve been waiting for these opportunities all my life, and it’s what I’ve been working for,” the Leeds man said.
“I think one of the reasons I may have been chosen [as an opponent] is because some people believe that I can’t punch, but it’s on me to obviously prove that wrong.”
In response, Conlan said: “I know Jack, I like Jack. His family – they’re very respectable people. There’s no bad blood there.
“We’ve shared the ring, we’ve sparred, so we know each other in a sense, albeit [those rounds taking place] a long time ago.
“I respect him, but I want to take his head off on Friday night. I didn’t choose Jack because of anything to do with punch power. Anyone who gets hit with 8oz gloves can get hurt.”
