Walsh Claims WBC International Featherweight Title
Kevin Walsh delivered a remarkable upset against Michael Conlan, securing a split decision victory that significantly diminishes the Belfast boxer's prospects of earning a third world title opportunity.
The 33-year-old American extended his undefeated professional record to 20 wins from 20 fights, while Conlan's record now stands at 20-4.
Conlan had anticipated a chance to challenge WBC featherweight champion Bruce Carrington later in the year. However, it was Walsh who called out Carrington following a closely contested 10-round bout. Two judges scored the fight 96-94 in Walsh's favor, while the third judge scored it 97-93 for Conlan.
The match was largely tactical, with few explosive moments. Conlan adopted a boxing style rather than engaging in a brawl. Although Walsh never fully dominated, his effective moments were sufficient to earn him the most significant victory of his career.
"I was very confident I got the job done," Walsh told DAZN after the fight. "It was definitely a close fight. Shout out to Mick Conlan - I've always been a fan of his, but he couldn't figure me out. He's been a hell of a fighter, but his time's up.
'Shu Shu' [Carrington], where you at? Let's go, but this is my time."
Confident Walsh Silences the Home Crowd
Walsh entered the ring with confidence, dancing to the ring and demonstrating the poise of an undefeated professional. Despite fighting far from his hometown of Brockton, Massachusetts, he appeared comfortable and composed.
Conlan began the fight in an orthodox stance but quickly switched to southpaw, leading to a cautious opening round from both fighters. A left hand from Conlan briefly energized Walsh, who responded with right hands of his own.
In the second round, a clash of heads caused a gash on Conlan's forehead, resulting in significant bleeding.
The fight remained cautious overall, with Conlan attempting to establish his jab. The fighters exchanged close-range punches toward the end of the round, where Walsh showed signs of danger.
Walsh employed frequent feints and occasional taunts to provoke Conlan, who remained composed and avoided overcommitting, turning the contest into a strategic chess match.
Both fighters showed respect for each other's power, resulting in limited significant exchanges during the first half of the fight. Conlan appeared to land more shots, using footwork to keep Walsh at bay during his sporadic attacks. Walsh found an opportunity to work inside during a brief exchange in the seventh round.
Although the bleeding from Conlan's earlier cut had stopped, a new gash appeared near his right eye in the eighth round, providing Walsh with encouragement. However, Walsh did not fully press his advantage in the ninth, which Conlan seemed to control with his movement.
Walsh began the tenth and final round with increased aggression but was unable to sustain a full attack. Nonetheless, his pressure was sufficient to secure the victory.
Is This the End for Conlan?
This bout marked Conlan's return to Belfast for the first time since his December 2023 defeat by Jordan Gill, a loss that left him with significant career considerations.
After a 16-month hiatus, Conlan returned in March 2025 under new coach Grant Smith, achieving a points victory over Asad Asif Khan in Brighton, followed by a stoppage win against Jack Bateson in Dublin six months later.
However, the SSE Arena once again proved to be a venue of disappointment, potentially marking Conlan's final appearance there.
At 34 years old, time is limited for Conlan to rebuild his career, and this defeat may represent the end of his pursuit of a world title shot for the foreseeable future.
While the loss was not a decisive or overwhelming defeat, it was Walsh's night, and the Massachusetts native is now seeking a shot at top honors.
This victory will likely advance Walsh's career significantly. Winning on foreign soil was a calculated risk that paid off, positioning him prominently in the featherweight division and setting the stage for his pursuit of a major opportunity.
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