Michael Conlan v Jack Bateson LIVE

Michael Conlan defeated Jack Bateson with a stunning knockout in just four rounds to claim the vacant WBC International Featherweight title, reigniting his career in the process.

The Belfast fighter had already dropped the Englishman in the previous round – landing a quick lead right hook while his opponent was off balance – and from that moment on it felt like it was a matter of when rather than if the Irishman would get the stoppage.

Bateson went into the fourth with a lot more purpose than he had in the previous three, but that only played into Conlan’s hands as he landed the perfect backhand, flush on his rival’s chin, to send him flying to the canvas.

To the Leeds man’s credit, he did get to his feet, but seemed unable to put any weight on his foot and fell straight back onto the ropes for support, leaving the referee no choice but to wave the fight off.

Conlan was hoisted onto the shoulders of his trainer, and he banged his chest triumphantly screaming “I’m back”, much to the delight of a euphoric 3Arena,

Going into the bout, neither fighter was renowned for their knockout power, and were considered to be more technical fighters, but the new WBC International champion had promised all week that he was going to show a new, improved version of himself in the ring.

The 33-year-old kept swapping between the southpaw and orthodox stance throughout the fight, leaving his opponent uncertain about when he could lunge, and commit to an attack.

Bateson finally took the bait in the third round, and landed his best shot of the night, only to find himself on the canvas mere milliseconds later, as Colan countered with a lead right hook in the third.

Before delivering the final blow, Conlan had upped the pace, and started putting his punches together, and was clearly enjoying himself in the ring.

The West Belfast native previously told The Belfast Telegraph that he was determined to enjoy this chapter of his career, and that the only way he can put to bed his defeat to Jordan Gill was by alleviating himself from pressure, and simply make the most of the last stages of his journey as a professional fighter.

This was evident in the ring walk, where he took his time entering the stage during a live rendition of Grace, and he smiled broadly for everyone to see as soaked up the atmosphere, and lightly shadowboxed in front of a packed out 3Arena.

The fight was billed as ‘The Return of the Mick’ and many questioned whether he still had enough left in the tank to fulfill the potential that his professional career had began with.

One flawless performance and brutal knockout later, and the former Olympian’s trajectory back to the very top is very much back on track.

This was Conlan’s second fight under his new trainer Grant Smith, and the improvements are clear to see, meaning that we just might be witnessing the best version of Michael Conlan yet.

Relive all the action on our LIVE blog below!

Adam McKendry

Who could be next?

Could it be a rematch for Michael Conlan with Leigh Wood after that win? That would be the big money fight and the one that everybody would want, for sure. Or how about a clash with Josh Warrington?

And how about this from Steve Bunce - could they do outdoors in April at Windsor Park? That would be a huge night.

Adam McKendry

Michael Conlan after defeating Jack Bateson

Q: How special was this?

A: "It's very special to come back and fight in Dublin for the first time in almost 10 years. Really special. My first pro fight here, my first headline here in the 3Arena, and I've headlined both main arenas, north and south. I'm very proud. Look at the crowd. They're still here. They're still singing. A very special night. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. This is what I'm happy for. You can listen to this. I'm happy Channel 5 have seen this because this show was promoted not too amazingly. It was promoted well, but it could have been promoted much better. This full arena would have been sold-out. Like this week alone, I've had probably 2,000 people looking tickets and they're all sold out. We are massive and this Irish fan base is huge. Look at everybody here, unbelievable. The music they sing, how they enjoy it, it's just really special and I'm very proud.

Q: Can you talk us through the fight, talk us through the finish?

A: "It was everything we worked on in training camp I gotta thank Grant Smith from the bottom of my heart, he brought me into that gym. He's made me part of that family and I feel at home. He's a master technician as a coach and everything we worked on everything he said played out and happened, and the finish came with it."

Q: What's next for you?

A: "Everyone knows I want to go big names next, definitely. The only way to go. I felt good. I'm feeling up and I felt strong, I felt fit and I feel like I'm huge right now when I'm in the ring compared to what I weigh in, so it's probably a bit of an optical illusion from seeing me yesterday to see me today! But no, I feel great."

Adam McKendry

The official decision

It's victory by knockout at 2:50 of the fourth round for Michael Conlan! He is the WBC international featherweight champion!

Adam McKendry

Insult to injury

As if to rub it in for Jack Bateson, the tannoy starts playing "I Predict A Riot". Oof.

Adam McKendry

CONLAN WINS!

What a punch by Michael Conlan!

The Belfast man swings an aggressive right hook at Jack Bateson and catches him squarely in the face, knocking him to the canvas! Bateson tries to get back up but it looks like he's hurt his ankle as he hobbles to the ropes, and the referee waves the fight off!

Michael Conlan wins by TKO and he screams "I'm back!" with vigour!

Adam McKendry

Round 3 (of 10)

A bizarre interruption at the start of this round as the referee warns Bateson's corner that they're too close to the ring during the rounds. Once the action resumes, Bateson is on the front foot, using his footwork to get in close... but Michael Conlan lands a blow that gets the Englishman down to his knees! Bateson waves off the referee, who starts a count but quickly stops, but Conlan senses blood and lands a few more blows before the bell goes. That one belongs to the Belfast man.

Adam's card: Conlan 10-9 Bateson

Adam McKendry

Round 2 (of 10)

A more timid round than the first, that's what I was expecting from the opening salvo but instead it comes in the second round. Another late flurry from Jack Bateson catches Michael Conlan with a jab, but over the whole round it was Conlan who seemed busier, so he gets the nod in that one.

Adam's card: Conlan 10-9 Bateson

Adam McKendry

Round 1 (of 10)

Couple of early big swings from both fighters, which is a little bit surprising rather than feeling things out, but there's little between the two. But Jack Bateson comes back right at the end of the round and lands a couple of good blows that just edges the opening round. But only just.

Adam's card: Conlan 9-10 Bateson

Adam McKendry

DING DING

We are under way!

Adam McKendry

Final instructions given...

We are ready to go...

Adam McKendry

'Neutral' crowd

Yeah, we knew it wasn't going to be. The ring announcer explains who we're watching tonight and it's unsurprising that Michael Conlan is roared into action, while Jack Bateson is roundly booed.

Can Conlan ride that support to victory?

Adam McKendry

Here comes Conlan

The Belfast man is serenaded onto the stage by a live version of Grace by The Dubliners and is flanked by former Ireland rugby player Simon Zebo, draped in a tricolour, and Republic of Ireland football international James McClean. Unsurprisingly, the crowd respond rapturously to that introduction.

The soundtrack swaps to 'Return of the Mack' as he makes his way to the ring and we are just about ready to go...

Adam McKendry

Jack Bateson up first

He looks relaxed and ready as he emerges onto the stage first. Plenty of boos accompany him to the ring, as expected, but he's not listening to them.

Now for Conlan...

Adam McKendry

Here we go

We are almost ready for the main event - Michael Conlan and Jack Bateson are about to make their way to the ring!

Adam McKendry

Hello and welcome...

... to our LIVE blog of Michael Conlan's fight against Jack Bateson.

Ringwalks are expected at 10pm.

Click here to read article