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Michael Conlan to Top Matchroom Belfast Show

Michael Conlan will top the Belfast December 2 show which will now be promoted by both Conlan Boxing and Matchroom,

It’s emerged Eddie Hearn will work with Conlan Boxing and promote the SSE Arena a few weeks shy of Christmas.

The move suggests Conlan may have teamed up with Matchroom, which in turn indicates Josh Warington and/or Leigh Wood fights await in the new year.

The initial plan was for the Olympic medal to fight abroad in December with Tyrone McKenna and Lewis Crocker headlining a Conlan Boxing show at the home of Irish boxing.

However, with Matchroom’s involvement things have changed and the the featherweight world title hopeful will now fight for the first time since splitting from Top Rank, leaving coach Adam Booth and losing to Luis Alberto Lopez in his hometown, with the Battle of Belfast most likely moving chief support.

It means Matchroom will be in Ireland for back to back weeks following up Katie Taylor versus Chantelle Cameron in Dublin with a stacked card in Belfast seven days later.

It also suggests Conlan will return in a fight of note, with suggestion a European title fight may be on the horizon.

Conlan Boxing previously worked with Matchroom when Ireland’s only World Amateur Championship gold medal winner fought Leigh Wood for the a world title last year.

Matchroom’s Belfast light middleweight Caoimhin Agyarko should benefit and secure a slot on the card, while Conlan Boxing’s roster will look to take advantage of the positive working relationship with DAZN and Matchroom.

Matchroom last promoted in Belfast in 2017 when working with former unified world champion Ryan Burnett.

Michael Conlan next opponent news as big promoter set for Belfast return

Michael Conlan is set to return to the ring on December 2 as part of a massive night of boxing in Belfast.

Conlan's last outing was back in May when he suffered a devastating knockout defeat to Luis Alberto Lopez at the SSE Arena.

It was his second successive world title loss, following his epic fight of the year clash with Leigh Wood back in 2022.

Conlan will return to the SSE Arena in December, with former European featherweight champion Jordan Gill emerging as a potential opponent.

It is understood negotiations are at an advanced stage for the fight to be held in Belfast, in a joint promotion between Conlan Boxing and Matchroom Boxing.

Eddie Hearn's Matchroom last promoted a fight in Belfast back in 2017 when Ryan Burnett unified the bantamweight division by beating Zhanat Zhakiyanov.

December 2 will also be Conlan's first fight since splitting with trainer Adam Booth, with the Falls Road man having linked up with Pedro Diaz for his comeback fight.

Conlan travelled to Miami to work with Diaz. He also had test runs with other trainers including Buddy McGirt and Jorge Rubio.

Press Release

Two-time Featherweight World Title challenger Michael Conlan returns to the SSE Arena Belfast to take on former European and Commonwealth Champion Jordan Gill on a huge night of Irish boxing on Saturday December 2, live worldwide on DAZN.

Conlan (18-2, 9 KOs) was last seen in action in May when he was stopped in five rounds by Mexico’s IBF Featherweight World Champion Luis Alberto Lopez, his second successive World Title loss following his epic Fight of the Year clash with Leigh Wood in 2022.

The Belfast star has linked up with Cuban-American trainer Pedro Diaz for his eagerly anticipated comeback fight and will return at Super-Featherweight has he looks to rebuild towards further World Title shots.

Gill (27-2-1, 8 KOs) fights for the first time since his fourth-round stoppage loss to Spain’s two-weight World Champion Kiko Martinez at Wembley Arena back in October 2022, and the Chatteris man is hoping to throw his name back into the mix for World Title action by upsetting the local hero.

A huge undercard sees Belfast Super-Welterweight contender Caoimhin Agyarko (13-0, 7 KOs) step up for the biggest challenge of his career to date against Darlington’s former British Champion Troy Williamson (20-1-1, 14 KOs), Tyrone McKenna (23-3-1, 6 KOs) and Lewis Crocker (17-0, 10 KOs) clash in a much-anticipated 147lbs all-Belfast showdown and local Super-Lightweight Sean McComb (17-1, 5 KOs) takes on Liverpool’s former British and Commonwealth Champion Sam Maxwell (17-2, 11 KOs) over ten rounds.

“I’m delighted to be coming back to the SSE Arena Belfast with Matchroom Boxing and a new coaching team,” said Conlan. “I’ve had many great nights here and I’m looking forward to creating more. Jordan is a good fighter but one standing in my way to where I want to go. December 2 will be a fantastic night of boxing and I can’t wait to see you all there.”

“This is a great fight,” said Gill. “I think Mick is a world class fighter, and I’m buzzing to get the opportunity to prove my skills. We’ve both had our setbacks and are hungry for World Titles. Belfast will be bouncing and I can’t wait to come over and give everyone a show!”

“I can’t wait to return to the famous fighting city of Belfast for our first show since 2017,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Two huge back-to-back weeks of Irish boxing as two-time World Title challenger Mick Conlan looks to get back to winning ways up at Super-Featherweight following his loss to Luis Alberto Lopez. The Irish star has a new training team in his corner, and he’ll be looking to make a statement against former European and Commonwealth Champion Jordan Gill as he targets World Title action in the competitive 130lbs division.

“A brilliant main event supported by a stacked undercard as Belfast Super-Welterweight Caoimhin Agyarko faces the biggest step up of his career against former British Champion Troy Williamson, Tyrone McKenna and Lewis Crocker meet in an all-Belfast Welterweight clash and local Super-Lightweight Sean McComb takes on former British and Commonwealth Champion Sam Maxwell over ten rounds. Another huge night of boxing in store for fight fans around the world live on DAZN.”

I’m not particularly looking forward to the main. Conlan would have had to go have gone down hill loads for Gill to have a chance.

The rest of the card is very good though.

Anyone know when tickets go on sale for this ?

I fear Conlan is done, horrible knock out last time. Gill too. Amazing comeback win he got though when he was having to just stay in one corner in that Euro title fight.

A crossroads fight

It's an epic night of boxing for fight fans around the world live on DAZN. How to watch without worrying about interruptions geometry dash bloodbath

Fight week!!

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑10 Oct 2023, 05:43 A crossroads fight

people use that term all the time in the wrong context, but this one is about as crossroads as it gets. badly needed win for them

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑27 Nov 2023, 06:00

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑10 Oct 2023, 05:43 A crossroads fight

people use that term all the time in the wrong context, but this one is about as crossroads as it gets. badly needed win for them

Good thing I know the definition of a crossroads fight then..

I think this all boils down to how much Conlan has left. On his best day, he has beaten better opponents than Gill and Jordan has worse losses. Got to favor Conlan at home in a brutal affair. Mick needs to box more IMO.

I don't think it's the end of the world for Gill if he loses. Mick retires if he gets stopped.

jwfg wrote: ↑27 Nov 2023, 11:36 I think this all boils down to how much Conlan has left. On his best day, he has beaten better opponents than Gill and Jordan has worse losses. Got to favor Conlan at home in a brutal affair. Mick needs to box more IMO.

I don't think it's the end of the world for Gill if he loses. Mick retires if he gets stopped.

I agree, and I really do not know what Conlan has left. Hope it's a cracker.

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑27 Nov 2023, 16:36

jwfg wrote: ↑27 Nov 2023, 11:36 I think this all boils down to how much Conlan has left. On his best day, he has beaten better opponents than Gill and Jordan has worse losses. Got to favor Conlan at home in a brutal affair. Mick needs to box more IMO.

I don't think it's the end of the world for Gill if he loses. Mick retires if he gets stopped.

I agree, and I really do not know what Conlan has left. Hope it's a cracker.

Good fight for Gill, I'm sure he is getting paid well, nothing to lose, may well be that Conlon is gone too, wins it and there will be opportunity off it.

Who trains Gill now Ben Davidson?

Conlan might have quite a lot left to offer, two losses, albeit brutal ones, to top level guys with freakish power at 126 don’t necessarily mean that the end is nigh.

With a bit of luck he can maybe still hope to win an alphabet title and he’s a level or two above Gill isn’t he ? I think this could be quite an easy night’s work for Michael.

bigped wrote: ↑27 Nov 2023, 19:53 Who trains Gill now Ben Davidson?

I thought it was Coldwell - have they parted ways?

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑29 Nov 2023, 10:28

bigped wrote: ↑27 Nov 2023, 19:53 Who trains Gill now Ben Davidson?

I thought it was Coldwell - have they parted ways?

Yes think they parted after his last fight , am sure he’s in Ben Davdison gym but not sure if Ben or Barry smith is his head coach

I like this show a lot on paper - have Matchroom done a better one all year?

You never know what Gill will turn up, can look a million dollars or extremely vulnerable , Conlan's heart has impressed me recently more than his skills ever did, think he wins here, might even stop Gill in the late rounds

bigped wrote: ↑29 Nov 2023, 15:40

SeanBrennan wrote: ↑29 Nov 2023, 10:28

bigped wrote: ↑27 Nov 2023, 19:53 Who trains Gill now Ben Davidson?

I thought it was Coldwell - have they parted ways?

Yes think they parted after his last fight , am sure he’s in Ben Davdison gym but not sure if Ben or Barry smith is his head coach

gotcha, Ben is hoovering a lot of fighters up isn't he, must be doing something right.

magnus wrote: ↑29 Nov 2023, 15:43 I like this show a lot on paper - have Matchroom done a better one all year?

Agreed - McComb/Maxwell, Agyarko/Williamson, McKenna/Crocker & Conlan/Gill should make for a solid night of entertainment.