Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Walsh claimed the WBC International featherweight title
ByDavid MohanBBC Sport NI Journalist at the SSE Arena- Published44 minutes ago
Kevin Walsh produced a stunning upset of Michael Conlan with a split decision victory which put a dagger into the Belfast man's hopes of securing a third world title opportunity.
The 33-year-old from the United States maintained his perfect record which extends to 20 victories in as many contests, while Conlan's record now slips to 20-4.
While Conlan had high hopes of landing a shot at WBC featherweight champion Bruce Carrington later in the year, it was Walsh calling for that fight at the end of a 10-round battle which two of the judges scored 96-94 in his favour with the third scoring it 97-93 in Conlan's favour.
It was a fight that never quite came alive despite some brief moments as Conlan sought to box rather than brawl and, while Walsh was never in full command, his moments were enough to see him take a career-best win.
"I was very confident I got the job done," Walsh told DAZN afterwards.
"It was definitely a close fight. Shout out to Mick Conlan - I've always been a fan of his, but he couldn't figure me out. He's been a hell of a fighter, but his time's up.
"'Shu Shu' [Carrington], where you at? Let's go, but this is my time."
Confident Walsh silences the home crowd
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Walsh throws a left to the body of Conlan
Walsh danced to the ring, exuding the confidence of a man who had yet to taste defeat as a professional and despite being a long way from his home of Brockton, Massachusetts, he appeared right at home.
Conlan came out for the opening bell in the orthodox stance, but swiftly reverted to southpaw in what was an extremely cagey start from both, but a left hand from the Belfast man appeared to bring the challenger to life with Walsh getting through with right hands.
A gash had opened on Conlan's forehead in the second - the result of a head clash - with blood flowing freely.
It remained cautious for the most part with Conlan seeking to find a home for the jab but they temporarily traded up close to close out the round and it was in this area where Walsh looked dangerous.
The American was feinting consistently and goading at times, seeking to draw Conlan's lead but the Belfast man remained composed, refusing to over-commit as he sought a mistake from the American in a chess match of a fight.
Both appeared extremely respectful of the other's power which meant the moments of note in the first half were fleeting and limited to single shots, but Conlan appeared to be having more of them as his footwork was leaving the American short during his sporadic raids, but he got an opportunity to work on the inside in the seventh from a brief exchange.
While the blood from Conlan's earlier cut appeared to have stopped, a gash by his right eye was now a problem in the eighth which offered Walsh some encouragement, but still he didn't fully press in the ninth aside from a brief moment towards the end of a round Conlan seemed to control with his movement.
The visitor did open the 10th and final round with intent but fully sustain the attack, yet he was pressing a little more and ultimately, it was enough to see him home.
Is this the end for Conlan?
It was a return to Belfast for the first time since his defeat by Jordan Gill in December 2023 which left him with much to ponder in terms of his career.
After a 16-month hiatus, Conlan returned in March 2025 under new coach Grant Smith, producing a points win over Asad Asif Khan in Brighton before stopping Jack Bateson in Dublin six months later.
However, the SSE Arena once again proved to be the scene of another night of disappointment and perhaps, his last one.
At 34, time is not on his side for another rebuild and perhaps this may be the last time he exits the ring with his bid to get back to a world title shot over for now.
Perhaps a big win could undo this damage as it was not quite a case of being outclassed or emphatically beaten, but this was Walsh's night and the man from Massachusetts is now calling for a shot at top honours.
This victory will certainly propel his career forward and winning away from home proved to be a gamble worth taking.
He has certainly entered the conversation at featherweight and will seek to secure his own big opportunity next.
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