Conlan (20-3, 10 KOs) has built his style on balance, ring IQ, and straight punching. He reads the lead hand, keeps his guard compact, and fires counters with accuracy.
“I can’t wait to come back to Belfast to fight, on this last run towards a world title.”
That sounds like a fighter measuring what is left.
Walsh (19-0, 10 KOs) comes forward with steady workrate. He closes distance, lets his hands go in combinations, and looks to stay close where he can work the body and keep a man from settling.
“On March 20th I’m coming to ring Micky’s bell fast!”
He will try to step in early, bring the right hand behind the jab, and keep Conlan from getting comfortable. If he can push him back, the fight becomes harder with every round.
Conlan knows what is coming.
“I am ready and excited but know I face a very tough opponent in Kevin Walsh, who promises to bring the heat.”
He needs to keep the fight at his distance, fire straight shots down the middle, and tie Walsh up when he gets inside. If he gets backed onto the ropes, Walsh will start letting combinations go and working the ribs.
Walsh kept it simple.
“I’m ready to go 20-0.”
Conlan still has the tools. He can set the pace with his jab, pick clean counters, and take rounds if his legs respond. If they don’t, Walsh will keep pressing and force him into exchanges he no longer wants.
Michael Conlan is open to facing WBC featherweight champion Bruce Carrington in New York City. Conlan spoke about what could follow, in an interview with Boxing Social.
“Listen, I know Bruce,” Conlan said. “Bruce is a really nice guy. I’ve known him since he was in training camp in Ireland. My dad was the coach at the time, and he was up in Belfast training. So I met him there, and he was a really lovely kid. And a very good fighter, a very good champion, someone I would love to face.”
That only comes into play if he handles Walsh.
“You can look at that and go there is 100 percent a possibility of that happening,” Conlan said. “And possibly next, or the fight after. Who knows? At the same time, I’ve got a job in front of me, and I’ve got to do that first. If I don’t look in form, I don’t look good here, maybe it doesn’t happen next. But I will, and I’ll go and do my job and look good doing it.”
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