By:
Paul Kelly
Belfast’s Michael Conlan will return on St Patrick’s weekend at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The Irishman is set to take on undefeated featherweight Kevin Walsh on March 14 before world title ambitions in 2026.
Michael Conlan Set For MSG Return On St Patrick’s Weekend
Michael Conlan looks set to return to the ring on St Patrick’s weekend in New York City next March.
The Irishman was last in action at the 3Arena in Dublin, stopping Englishman Jack Bateson inside four rounds. Now, the Belfast man looks set to return to the same venue where his professional career began almost nine years ago.
Conlan made his pro debut at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York, and looks set to return to the very same venue for his next fight to kickstart a potentially huge 2026 for the 34-year-old.
Although originally rumoured to share the same card for Pierce O’Leary’s Dublin homecoming, it is now apparent that Conlan will headline his own show at MSG on March 14 instead.
MSG PENDING ⏳️
Discussions are currently at an advanced stage for Michael Conlan (20-3) to fight Irish American "King" Kevin Walsh (19-0) at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, March 14th
We are expecting the official news to drop very soon, so don't be booking those flights… pic.twitter.com/pYtJy4RAPD
— Boxing Tickets NI (@BoxingTicketsNI) December 11, 2025
An official announcement is imminent, with Conlan set to face 19-0 unbeaten Irish-American fighter Kevin Walsh.
The bout is expected to be a featherweight contest over 10 rounds, with the winner expected to land a world title fight next.
Although unconfirmed, Conlan looks set to kickstart next year with a bang, fighting at MSG for the seventh time and first time in over six years.
Conlan hasn’t fought outside Ireland or the UK for his last 10 bouts dating back to August 2020. The last time Conlan fought in America was December 2019, which also happened to be at Madison Square Garden.
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Mick Conlan Eyes World Title At Third Attempt In 2026
Although his next fight won’t be for world honours, Michael Conlan remains hopeful of a world title fight next year.
The 34-year-old has already contested for world honours twice, losing both times. Conlan was stopped by Leigh Wood in the last round of their ‘Fight of the Year’ contender back in 2022, before then losing in his home city of Belfast to Luis Alberto Lopez on his second attempt at becoming world champion.
The Irishman knows that he only has one more shot at fulfilling his dreams of becoming world champion, which he hopes to finally earn in 2026.
Conlan currently holds the WBC International belt at featherweight, which gives him a #9 ranking with the WBC governing body at 126-pounds.
https://twitter.com/talesfromtherin/status/1999387304230830300
The current champion is Stephen Fulton, who is reportedly vacating his belt having moved up and fought his last contest at lightweight (135-pounds).
It looks like Conlan could benefit from Fulton’s vacation, perhaps landing a world title shot against one of the other leading contenders with the WBC at featherweight.
A showdown with Scotsman Nathaniel Collins makes perfect sense for early summer, if indeed Conlan comes through against Kevin Walsh and Collins waits until then or picks up another win of his own.
Provided Fulton vacates his WBC crown, there is a high chance that Conlan could land a vacant title shot as early as next summer.
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