Michael Conlan has officially announced his retirement from boxing following a controversial defeat to Kevin Walsh at Belfast’s SSE Arena.
The 34-year-old brought the curtain down on his career immediately after the loss, speaking candidly about his final run in the sport. “In this last run, it was only for me,” Conlan said. “That’s why I have no shame in saying that’s enough… trying to reach the goal of being world champion. It’s not meant to be.”
The defeat itself has already sparked debate, but Conlan made it clear the decision wasn’t just about the result. “It doesn’t matter what way I was going to lose,” he added. “If it was wide, if it was a robbery… it wasn’t enough to win clearly, so it’s enough to say goodbye.”
After multiple comebacks, Conlan admitted he had nothing left to prove to himself. “That was the third time I’ve come back… god loves a trier. Hope he loves me,” he said, mixing honesty with a touch of humor that has always been part of his personality.
Conlan walks away as one of Ireland’s standout fighters of his generation. Before turning professional, he made history as Ireland’s first male amateur world champion and claimed bronze at the London 2012 Olympics. In the pro ranks, he built a loyal following and fought on major stages across New York, Las Vegas, Australia, and the UK, twice falling just short of world titles.
“I want to say thank you to every single person,” Conlan said in his farewell. “They’ve always stuck by me… even through defeats.”
A career built on heart, resilience, and connection with fans, Conlan leaves the sport on his own terms, even if the ending wasn’t the one he once imagined. Happy retirement champ! 👊
Image Credit: BBC