Michael Conlan heads a Wasserman-promoted card at 3Arena in Dublin this Friday night, and he continues his comeback from double world title heartbreak with a 10-rounder against Jack Bateson for the vacant WBC International featherweight title.
Channel 5 televise Conlan vs Bateson live in the UK, whilst Triller broadcast the bout in the USA.
Conlan (19-3, 9 KOs) made the transition from amateur to professional in 2017, and made steady progress, which then led to a world title shot in 2022.
The Belfast man looked on course for victory for the WBA featherweight title against Leigh Wood, but would be dramatically stopped in the final round in Nottingham.
A May 2023 challenge for the IBF belt was also unsuccessful, as Conlan was halted in five by Luis Alberto Lopez in Belfast, and he would be stopped again in his next contest, a seventh-round reverse against Jordan Gill in December of the same year.
Retirement was contemplated, but the 33-year-old returned in March, and had to work hard to secure a points win over eight against Asad Asif Khan in Brighton.
Bateson (20-1-1, 6 KOs) has had a slow-burning career, which has included winning the vacant English super bantamweight title in 2021 with a points win against Ramez Mahmood.
The 31-year-old’s unbeaten run would end in November 2021, stopped in the final round of twelve against Shabaz Masoud, and although he returned with three wins, the Leeds man was frustrated in his last bout in December last year, as his challenge for Danny Quartermaine’s IBF and WBO European titles ended early, as both were ruled out from a head clash during the second round.
Prediction: Conlan will want to build confidence for a final tilt at world honours, and he should have enough left to take a points win in this one.
Edwards clashes with Juarez
The undercard is headed by former WBC flyweight champion Charlie Edwards, and he moves back down in weight after a foray at bantamweight to take on Salvador Juarez over a scheduled 10 rounds for the vacant WBC International super flyweight title.
Edwards (20-2, 7 KOs) moved to 118 pounds in 2020, after his knockout loss to Julio Cesar Martinez was changed to a no contest, but even though his spell at bantamweight included a European title, he largely flattered to deceive, and suffered defeat in his last outing when Andrew Cain defended his British and Commonwealth titles in a split decision triumph.
Mexico’s Suarez (20-9-2, 4 KOs) has only lost two of his last ten outings, but all in unspectacular company.
The 32-year-old was halted in nine by Argi Cortes last August, before returning to take an upset split decision win against the unbeaten Ryusei Morikawi last December.
Prediction: Edwards can use his ring craft to have his hand raised on points.
Remaining Undercard
The final 10-rounder is at super lightweight, where Ben Marksby (12-0, 2 KOs) can take a points win over fellow unbeaten Senan Kelly (10-0, 2 KOs).
In eight round bouts at super welterweight, Dan Toward (6-1, 5 KOs) can continue his comeback from a March stoppage defeat by scoring an early win against Khalid Ennachat (8-2, 2 KOs), while Glenn Byrne (5-0-1, 1 KO) can take a rematch win against Charly Lopez (7-1-1, 3 KOs) for the vacant Irish crown, with their original meeting in April ending in a draw.
Dean Walsh (3-0, 1 KO) can remain unbeaten with a points win against Jamil Elo (4-2-1, 2 KOs) of Finland.
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In six round attractions, Kieran Molloy (11-0, 6 KOs) can take a win inside the distance at welterweight against Nourdeen Toure (12-4, 6 KOs), and Kevin Cronin (9-3-1, 5 KOs) will likely need the full six rounds to take the win against Grant Dennis (19-14, 3 KOs) at super middleweight.
Super featherweight prospect, Codie Smith (6-0-1) can be a points winner against Mario Victorino Vera (8-7, 3 KOs) and at super bantamweight, Paul Loonam (5-0) can do the same against Jake Pollard (1-94).
In four-rounders, Cain Lewis (8-0-1, 2 KOs) can outscore Erick Omar Lopez (17-30-3, 10 KOs) at featherweight and cruiserweight debutant, Kian Hedderman should be a stoppage winner over Alexandru Crasnitchii (5-8-1, 2 KOs).
