Boxing Results: Michael Conlan Flattens Bateson in Four — Career Back From the Dead?

Michael Conlan blew away Jack Bateson inside four rounds at the 3Arena, grabbing the vacant WBC International Featherweight title and maybe saving his career in the process. Belfast erupted, Conlan screaming “I’m back!” on his trainer’s shoulders like a man reborn.

Conlan (now 20-3, 10 KOs) had been written off by many after stoppage defeats to Leigh Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez. At 33 years old, some were calling this a last chance. Bateson ((20-2-1, 6 KOs) came in younger and fresher at 30, and looked the type who could make Conlan look old overnight.

Was This Knockout Real Redemption or a Mirage?

Bateson started the fight trying to box sharp, but Conlan looked patient, working behind the right jab and sliding into angles. The breakthrough came in round three: Conlan clipped Bateson with a short left that dumped him to the canvas.

In the fourth, Bateson came forward looking to recover ground, but circled into danger. Conlan’s counter landed clean on the chin. Bateson’s legs gave way instantly, folding him into the ropes. He beat the count but couldn’t steady himself—referee Hugh Russell Jr waved it off without a second thought.

It was brutal, clinical, and notable: Bateson had never been stopped as a pro.

What’s Left in the Tank for Conlan?

This win bought Conlan breathing room, but let’s be real—Bateson isn’t a world-level scalp. Talented, yes, but untested beyond domestic and fringe international level. The win doesn’t erase the heavy defeats on Conlan’s record, but it shows he still has timing, composure, and finishing spite when the setup is right.

Conlan credited new coach Grant Smith: “Everything he said, laid out and happened, and the finish came with it.” The way Conlan timed the counter shows they drilled that shot in camp.

Mentally, Conlan looks lighter too. “Whether you love me, or hate me, I’m still going to do what I am going to do.” That shift—fighting without the weight of outside noise—could be his most important weapon in the next stage of his career.

My Take

I’ll be honest—I thought Conlan was finished. Too many beatings, not enough sting in his shots. But this knockout was clean, brutal, and convincing. It silenced doubters—for now.

Does it put him back in world-title contention? Not yet. This was a stay of execution, not a full rebirth. But if he fights loose, without the pressure of expectation, he’s dangerous again. And Belfast will keep showing up, win or lose.

Full Fight Card Results 

• Michael Conlan stopped Jack Bateson in the 4th round
• Glenn Byrne edged Charly Lopez on points, taking it 58–56.
• Kieran Molloy impressed with a third-round stoppage of Nourdeen Toure.
• Charlie Edwards outboxed Salvador Juarez over ten rounds, 96–94 and 99–91 twice.
• Cain Lewis controlled Erick Omar Lopez across four rounds, earning a 40–36 decision.
• Kevin Cronin beat Grant Dennis on points, scored 59–55.
• Dan Toward got the better of Khalid Ennachat, winning 77–74.
• Codie Smith shut out Mario Victorino Vera, claiming a 60–54 verdict.