LAST UPDATE | 21 Mar

The 42 Reports from the SSE Arena

MICHAEL CONLAN HAS confirmed his retirement from boxing after suffering a controversial split-decision loss to unbeaten American Kevin Walsh at Belfast’s SSE Arena.

Flanked by his partner, Shona, and his two children, Luisne and Michael Jr, Conlan announced in his dressing room after the fight last night that the time was right to hang up the gloves irrespective of the close nature of his defeat.

The 34-year-old Conlan, disappointed by the result but seemingly content with his decision, stressed that his performance against Walsh “wasn’t good enough” to continue his final pursuit of a world title. The Falls Road featherweight said that it was time to focus on his family after a career with which he has already secured their financial future.

Walsh, a native of Brockton, Massachusetts and a year Conlan’s junior, was adjudged to have won a turgid contest on scores of 96-94 (x2), while one judge saw it 97-93 in favour of hometown hero Conlan.

Kevin Walsh celebrates his split-decision victory. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO

For Gavan Casey’s full rundown of the night, check out The 42 here.  

Written by Gavan Casey and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.