Michael Conlan Returns to Belfast Friday for High-Stakes Clash Against Undefeated Kevin Walsh, Live on DAZN
Irish star Michael Conlan will return to his hometown of Belfast for one of the most important fights of his professional career when he faces undefeated American contender Kevin Walsh on Friday, March 20, at the SSE Arena Belfast in Northern Ireland. The event will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
The featherweight showdown will have the IBF International title at stake, with the winner positioning himself as a potential challenger for the IBF world championship.
For Conlan, the bout represents far more than another fight—it may be one of the final and most crucial opportunities of his career to reach a world title.
Conlan’s Long Road Toward a World Title
The pursuit of a professional world championship by Michael Conlan is now approaching its ninth year, and the 34-year-old Irishman understands that the window for achieving that goal is beginning to narrow.
Conlan (20-3, 10 KOs) has long been one of the most recognizable figures in European boxing. However, his journey toward world championship glory has included several painful setbacks.
In March 2022, Conlan appeared on the verge of capturing the WBA featherweight world title against British champion Leigh Wood. After dominating much of the contest, Conlan suffered a dramatic knockout loss in the 12th round in one of the most memorable fights of recent years.
He later endured additional knockout defeats against Mexico’s Luis Alberto López and Britain’s Jordan Gill, results that raised questions about his future among the sport’s elite.
But the Belfast native refused to give up.
During 2025, Conlan rebuilt momentum with two victories that revived his title aspirations, and he now returns home determined to launch one final push toward world championship glory.
“It's always tough. Featherweight is one of those divisions that's always red hot,” Conlan told The Ring while discussing the competitive landscape at 126 pounds.
“There are never really easy fights in the featherweight division. It’s always been like that. There are always big, tough fights, and now I’m in a position where I can take these kinds of challenges.”
Kevin Walsh Arrives Undefeated and Dangerous
Standing across the ring will be a hungry and dangerous opponent.
Kevin Walsh (19-0, 10 KOs), a 33-year-old fighter from Brockton, Massachusetts, enters the bout with a perfect professional record and the confidence of a contender ready for the biggest fight of his career.
Known for his aggressive style and respectable punching power, Walsh sees this fight as the opportunity to announce himself on the international stage.
A victory over Conlan would not only preserve his undefeated record but could also catapult him into immediate world title contention.
The winner of the fight could move closer to a shot at IBF featherweight champion Angelo Leo, adding even greater stakes to the contest.
The Ever-Dangerous Featherweight Division
The 126-pound division has historically been one of boxing’s deepest and most competitive weight classes.
Among the current standouts is undefeated Mexican champion Rafael Espinoza, the reigning WBO titleholder whose towering height and impressive record of 28-0 with 24 knockouts make him one of the most formidable fighters in the division.
Another rising contender is American prospect Bruce Carrington, who recently captured the WBC title after stopping Carlos Castro in nine rounds during a major card in New York.
Within such a competitive landscape, every fight carries enormous consequences for fighters hoping to remain in the championship picture.
A Venue Filled With Emotion
The fight will take place at Belfast’s SSE Arena, a venue capable of hosting more than 11,000 fans, and one expected to generate an electric atmosphere with thousands of Irish supporters backing their hometown hero.
However, the arena has not always brought Conlan good fortune.
His last two appearances there ended in knockout defeats—first to Luis Alberto López and later to Jordan Gill.
For that reason, this fight represents not only another step toward a world title opportunity but also a chance at redemption in front of his home crowd.
Undercard Fights
The event will feature several intriguing undercard matchups leading into the main event:
Kieran Molloy vs Xavier Kohlen – Welterweight
Niall Brown vs Darren Johnstone – Super middleweight
Codie Smith vs Lee Gormley – Super featherweight
Jak Corrie vs Jacob Quinn – Super welterweight
Fight Date and How to Watch
The event will take place on Friday, March 20, and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
Broadcast schedule (approximate):
Event start: 7:00 PM (UK time)
Main event ringwalks: 9:41 PM (UK time)
4:41 PM in Panama / 5:41 PM Eastern Time in the United States
A Defining Night for Conlan
For Michael Conlan, the fight against Kevin Walsh carries enormous significance.
A victory would place him back within striking distance of a long-awaited world title opportunity.
A loss, however, could mark the closing chapter of his championship dream.
With an undefeated record on the line, an international title at stake, and thousands of passionate Irish fans ready to fill the arena, Conlan vs. Walsh promises to be one of the most emotional and high-stakes featherweight fights of the year.