Mick Conlan All But Confirms Belfast Homecoming With Official Announcement Imminent

Mick Conlan has all but confirmed his Belfast homecoming in his latest social media post on Instagram.

The two-time world title challenger has teased his next fight announcement imminently, with homecoming rumoured for March 20 at the SSE Arena.

Mick Conlan All But Confirms Belfast Homecoming

Michael Conlan has teased a mammoth next fight and possible Belfast homecoming as he aims to return to the ring before spring this year.

The two-time world title challenger last fought in September at the 3Arena, knocking out England’s Jack Bateson in emphatic fashion to claim the WBC International Featherweight Title and extend his impressive record to 20-3 with a 10th knockout victory.

It was originally rumoured that Conlan was set for his Madison Square Garden return around St Patrick’s Day, having fought in New York on multiple occasions before, including his professional debut back in March 2017.

However, dreams of returning to MSG were soon squashed, with rumours of a switch to his home town of Belfast instead. Although Conlan was excited at the prospect of fighting in New York once again, boxing at home in front of his beloved Irish fans isn’t exactly a comedown, rather an improvement.

https://twitter.com/IFLTV/status/1662565725075042306

It’s rumoured that Conlan will return to Belfast for a major fight at the SSE Arena on Friday, March 20. Although unconfirmed, it seems the 34-year-old will return to the biggest indoor venue in his home city.

Reports of Conlan’s St Patrick’s Day fight relocating to Belfast have been rife at the beginning of the year, and the man himself has now all but confirmed it is going ahead with his latest social media post.

Conlan took to Instagram with a cryptic post, writing: “The comeback was just an appetiser – I’m locked in ready to show levels, let’s get this going”.

The Irishman then followed this up with a story on his Instagram with a photo of him knocking out Miguel Marriaga, with the caption “back to Belfast”. The song Belfast City by Ryan McMullan also played in the background, all but confirming his homecoming.

 

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A post shared by Mick Conlan (@mickconlan11)

Who Will Mick Conlan Fight Next On Belfast Homecoming?

With Mick Conlan’s MSG return in doubt and Belfast the likely destination for his next fight, boxing fans are wondering who his opponent will be on his homecoming to his beloved city.

Kevin Walsh was the rumoured opponent for Conlan’s fight in the Big Apple at Madison Square Garden, and it seems the Irish-American fighter is willing to travel to Belfast to keep the fight alive.

Although unconfirmed, it’s rumoured that Conlan will take on the undefeated Walsh on Friday, March 20 in the main event of a major boxing card at the SSE Arena in Belfast.

Walsh is an unbeaten featherweight fighter, boasting an impressive record of 19-0 with 10 stoppages. The 33-year-old last fought in November, and looks set to face his toughest test to date in Conlan.

RELOCATION TO BELFAST ⏳️

We reported in December of the possibility of Mick Conlan v Kevin Walsh on St Patrick's weekend at MSG

We now believe discussions are ongoing for this fight to now happen at the SSE Arena in Belfast on Friday, March 20th instead

Fingers crossed,… pic.twitter.com/Mlhqmjhmzz

— Boxing Tickets NI (@BoxingTicketsNI) January 20, 2026

That being said, it’s a tough night for the Belfast man too, who is going in with an untested, unproven and unknown quantity in the orthodox 126-pound contender.

Conlan is fully expected to win this fight, before possibly challenging for world honours one more time before the end of the year. Having lost three times in his career by knockout, twice for a world title, this is Conlan’s last roll of the dice in his professional boxing career.

His comeback started with a routine points win and knockout victory over Jack Bateson last year, with Walsh the next step in his move towards a third and likely final world title shot.