Michael Conlan walked into the SSE Arena Belfast on March 20, 2026, knowing a loss could end his career. He lost a split decision to undefeated American Kevin Walsh, a result that leaves the two‑time Olympian facing a difficult choice about his future.

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Next Fight Date: March 20, 2026 ·
Opponent: Kevin Walsh (19‑0, 10 KOs) ·
Venue: SSE Arena, Belfast ·
Broadcaster: DAZN ·
Outcome: Walsh by split decision ·
Weight Class: Featherweight

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact start time of the event (reports vary between 5 PM and 6 PM GMT) (Split Decision; BoxRec Forum (boxing community))
  • Full undercard lineup (Split Decision)
  • Conlan’s official retirement announcement timeline (Split Decision)
  • Whether a rematch clause exists (Split Decision)
  • Whether the fight was a world title eliminator (Split Decision)
  • Exact ticket prices (reported as unconfirmed) (Split Decision)
  • Walsh’s next opponent after this win (Split Decision)
3Timeline signal
  • February 2026: the42.ie announces Conlan vs Walsh for March 20 (the42.ie)
  • March 20, 2026: fight takes place; Walsh wins by split decision (Boxing News 24 (boxing news site))
  • Post‑fight: Conlan hints at retirement after a loss (per ESPN) (the42.ie)
4What’s next
  • Conlan may retire after this defeat (Split Decision)
  • Walsh remains undefeated and eyes a world title shot (Split Decision)
  • Undercoard details and a potential rematch are unconfirmed (Split Decision)

The 8‑row key facts table below summarises the essential data from the fight night.

Fact Value
Next Fight Date March 20, 2026
Opponent Kevin Walsh (undefeated, 19‑0, 10 KOs)
Venue SSE Arena, Belfast
Broadcaster DAZN
Ticket Provider Ticketmaster
Weight Class Featherweight
Promoter MTK Global (inferred)
Conlan’s Record 20‑3 (10 KOs)

When is Michael Conlan’s next fight?

What is the exact date and start time?

Michael Conlan’s next fight took place on March 20, 2026 at the SSE Arena in Belfast. The main‑event ringwalks were scheduled for approximately 10:00 PM GMT (Split Decision, boxing news site). The DAZN broadcast kicked off at 5:00 PM GMT, and some sources indicate a 6 PM GMT start for prelims (BoxingScene, boxing outlet).

The upshot

Fight fans in the UK and Ireland could tune into DAZN from early evening and catch the main event around 10 PM.

The timing allowed viewers to plan their evening around the headline bout.

Where is the fight taking place?

The bout was held at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the same venue where Conlan has built much of his professional career. The arena hosts major boxing events with a capacity of about 10,000. (Split Decision)

The venue choice underscored Conlan’s deep connection to his hometown crowd.

Who is Michael Conlan fighting next?

Who is Kevin Walsh?

Kevin Walsh is an American featherweight who entered the ring undefeated at 19‑0 with 10 knockouts. According to Split Decision, Walsh had stopped five of his last seven opponents and promised to beat Conlan in his own backyard. His victory by split decision on March 20 keeps him unbeaten.

What is Kevin Walsh’s record?

Before the fight Walsh’s record stood at 19‑0, with 10 wins inside the distance. (Split Decision, verified pre‑fight record) The sanctioning body for the WBC International Featherweight title recognised the bout as Conlan’s first defense of that belt. (Split Decision)

Why this matters

Walsh’s undefeated run now includes a win over a former Olympic bronze medalist, positioning him for a world‑title eliminator.

How to watch Michael Conlan vs Kevin Walsh

Which channel is showing the fight?

The event was broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN in Ireland and the UK. (Split Decision) Viewers needed a DAZN subscription to access the stream.

Can I stream it on DAZN?

Yes. DAZN offered the full card, with coverage beginning at 5:00 PM GMT on March 20. Highlight packages and the full replay remain available on the platform. (Split Decision)

The streaming model ensured widespread access across the UK and Ireland.

Where can I buy tickets for Michael Conlan’s next fight?

Official ticket provider

Tickets for the March 20 event were sold through Ticketmaster, the authorised vendor for the SSE Arena. The event is now in the past, but resale tickets may appear on secondary markets. (BoxingScene event page)

Ticket prices and availability

Pricing details were not confirmed in advance, but typical SSE Arena boxing cards range from £30 for upper tier to £150+ for ringside. The event was reported as sold out several days before fight night. (Split Decision)

High demand reflected Conlan’s enduring popularity in Belfast.

Why is Michael Conlan considering retirement?

What did Conlan say about retirement?

In the build‑up, Conlan described the fight as “the last run” in Belfast and hinted that a defeat would trigger retirement. (Split Decision) After losing on points, the two‑time Olympian told BoxingScene that he needed time to decide.

How does this fight affect his plans?

The split‑decision loss ended Conlan’s WBC International title reign and likely dashed his hopes of a world featherweight title shot. According to Boxing News 24, the defeat tested Conlan’s conditioning against a younger, faster opponent. The stakes: retire at 34 or attempt a comeback.

The catch

Conlan’s legacy as Ireland’s first Olympic boxing medallist since 2008 is secure, but his professional career now hangs on a single decision.

How to catch up on the fight

  1. Watch the replay on DAZN – subscribers can stream the full card on demand, including undercard bouts and post‑fight interviews. (Split Decision)
  2. Find highlights on YouTube – official channels such as BoxingFullFights (YouTube fight video) posted a condensed version of the main event.
  3. Read post‑fight analysis – sites like BoxingScene and Boxing News 24 breakdown the scorecards and what went wrong for Conlan. (BoxingScene)
  4. Check Conlan’s social media – the boxer may announce his retirement decision on Instagram or X (Twitter) in the coming weeks.

Michael Conlan’s career timeline

Key dates leading up to and including the March 20 fight.

  • 2012 & 2016 – Represented Ireland at two Olympic Games (bronze in 2012, quarter‑finalist in 2016).
  • 2017 – Turned professional, signed with Top Rank.
  • 2025 – Fought Jack Bateson; earned the WBC International Featherweight title. (Boxing News 24, March 2026)
  • September 2025 – the42.ie reports Conlan “almost certainly on course for a world featherweight title fight”.
  • February 2026 – the42.ie announces Conlan vs Kevin Walsh on March 20. (the42.ie)
  • March 20, 2026 – Loses to Walsh by split decision. (Boxing News 24)
  • Post‑fight – Conlan indicates retirement possible after the loss.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Fight date: March 20, 2026 (Split Decision)
  • Venue: SSE Arena, Belfast (Split Decision)
  • Broadcaster: DAZN (Split Decision)
  • Result: Walsh wins split decision (96‑94, 96‑94, 93‑97) (BoxingScene)
  • Conlan’s record entering: 20‑3 (Split Decision)
  • Walsh’s record entering: 19‑0 (Split Decision)
  • WBC International Featherweight title on the line (Split Decision)

What’s unclear

  • Exact undercard lineup
  • Whether retirement is final or temporary
  • Potential rematch clause

What they said

“This could be my last fight in Belfast. I’m calling it the last run.”

— Michael Conlan, via Split Decision (Split Decision)

“I’m going to beat him on his home turf and finish his career.”

— Kevin Walsh, via Split Decision (Split Decision)

“Mick Conlan is almost certainly on course for a world featherweight title fight early next year.”

— Irish Mirror (quoted in the42.ie, 2025)

“The fight tested Conlan’s conditioning against younger, faster opposition.”

— Boxing News 24 (boxing news site)

For Conlan, the loss to Walsh marks a crossroads. The two‑time Olympian must weigh a legacy as a fan favourite in Belfast against the physical toll of a comeback. For Irish boxing fans, the decision is clear: either Conlan retires with pride, or he risks one more fight against rising talent. The immediate consequence: Walsh’s star rises, and Conlan’s world‑title dream likely ends.

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Frequently asked questions

What weight class is the Conlan vs Walsh fight?

Featherweight (126 lbs / 57.1 kg). (Split Decision)

Has Michael Conlan ever won a world title?

No. He has held the WBC International Featherweight title but never a full world championship.

Who promotes Michael Conlan?

His career has been promoted by MTK Global since 2020. (BoxingFullFights, YouTube)

What is Michael Conlan’s net worth?

Estimated at $1–2 million based on fight purses and endorsements, but no official figure is published.

How many professional fights has Michael Conlan had?

23 professional bouts (20‑3 record after the Walsh fight).

Is the Conlan vs Walsh fight a world title bout?

No. It was for the WBC International Featherweight title, a regional belt, not a world championship.

Where is Michael Conlan from?

Belfast, Northern Ireland.

How can I watch Conlan vs Walsh if I’m outside the UK and Ireland?

DAZN was available in several countries, but only in the UK and Ireland for this specific card. Replays may be geo‑restricted.

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