Michael Conlan Targets WBC Title with March 20 Fight

Michael Conlan is determined to secure a world title before he retires, with a specific focus on the WBC featherweight championship. The Belfast fighter aims to take a significant step towards this goal when he faces Kevin Walsh in a WBC International fight on March 20, 2024, in Belfast. Conlan has expressed a strong desire to clinch the WBC title, which he regards as the most prestigious in boxing.

Conlan’s Ambition and Upcoming Match

The 34-year-old boxer articulated his passion for the WBC title, stating, “The WBC is the title everybody wants. It’s the most beautiful belt in boxing, bar The Ring belt. It’s something I’ve always wanted to win,” he told Irish-boxing.com. This sentiment underscores his commitment as he approaches what he has called his last push for a world title.

Conlan’s immediate goal is to defeat Walsh, who remains undefeated and poses a significant challenge. Despite his respect for Walsh’s abilities, Conlan believes he possesses the skills to dominate the fight. He commented, “He’s a good puncher, a good boxer. But I’ll box his head off and maybe get him late.” Conlan is confident in his preparation and believes he is in a strong position to succeed.

Path to the Championship

Following the bout against Walsh, Conlan aims to challenge the current WBC featherweight champion, Bruce Carrington. Carrington recently defended his title successfully against Carlos Castro at Madison Square Garden, a venue where Conlan has also found success. The champion’s ambitions include a showdown with pound-for-pound star Naoya Inoue, but Conlan hopes to position himself for a title shot ahead of that potential clash.

Reflecting on his aspirations, Conlan stated, “That’s the route we’re going down. That’s where I want to get.” He remains focused on his objective of becoming a world champion, emphasizing his determination to win against Walsh, whether it be by knockout or decision. “I’ll go and do the job,” he affirmed. “Whether it’s early, whether it’s late, whether it’s points — I’ll win and move on towards my goal of being a world champion.”

As Conlan prepares for this pivotal fight, the boxing community will be watching closely to see if he can take one step closer to fulfilling his long-held dream of winning the WBC title.