Coming off the longest lay-off since he began boxing, Michael Conlan admits it took time to rediscover his groove, but feels it’s all coming together at the right time ahead of his return against Asad Khan on Friday in Brighton.
Conlan took time to mull over his future in the sport following his defeat to Jordan Gill at the SSE Arena in December 2023, which came months after his second crack at world honours fell short.
It would have been easy — and in some quarters expected — for the west Belfast man to leave the sport behind. But removing himself from boxing completely stoked the fire once again as he decided to have one last crack at scaling the mountain in the ring.
A change in coach to team up with Grant Smith in Sheffield’s Steel City Gym is one switch the 33-year-old has made as he opted to form his own management company, whilst penning a promotional deal with Wasserman Boxing — headed by Kalle and Nisse Sauerland.
Grant Smith is now coaching Michael Conlan
He was clear that any return would take place away from home and the comeback would be something a little more low key than he had been used to, so eight rounds against against India’s Khan (19-5-1) is the assignment on Friday’s card topped by Tyrone McKenna’s bid to cause an upset against Harlem Eubank, which will be broadcast live on Channel 5.
“I got back doing pads around July but when I had my first 10 spars from around the end of November, start of December, I thought I had forgotten how to box,” said Conlan, whose record now stands at 18-3.
“It’s only over the last few weeks that it has all fallen into place, thank God. Now I feel like I’m back firing on all cylinders and looking forward to fight.
“I’ve been out for over a year and coming off back-to-back losses, so I don’t see why I should jump straight back into a hard fight right away.
“I think I’ve earned my stripes in terms of easing myself back in and the opponent, Asad Khan, has a winning record, so knows how to win, is game and will throw punches to try and take my head off. But I think he will leave a lot of gaps for me to capitalise on.”
Teaming up with Smith looks to be an astute move as Conlan feels the no-nonsence approach from the Yorkshireman is exactly what he needs.
As a former world amateur Champion, there isn’t a lot Conlan needs to be taught in terms of skills, but still has areas of his game that require a little bit of work.
Whatever about past glories and heartaches, it’s just about there here and now as he looks towards a busy year in order to get himself back into contention.
“I really like Grant as a coach and as a man,” he confirmed.
“He’s not trying to change me as a boxer, but what he is doing is pulling me up on my mistakes, which is what I have needed, and tweaking little things.
“I’m going in there with my own intentions and style, but also with what he sees. My last fight (against Gill), I went in with only six weeks of training with Pedro (Diaz).
“He is a fantastic coach and who knows, had I been with him from the start, things may have been different.
“With Grant, I have been here since September working with him and everything is clicking, so I’m in a very good place.
“I’m 33 years of age, no spring chicken; I’m no Olympic medallist or any of that. It’s just a case of having talent, ability, dedication and hard work, so put that together with a bit of luck and you will get there.
“I feel like I have a purpose. I’m not fighting for money, but just to be a Champion and that’s it.”