Conlan knocked out Bateson in the fourth round in Dublin
Mick Conlan’s promoters believe a world title shot is now possible after the Irishman defeated Jack Bateson at the 3Arena with a fourth-round knockout.
Conlan’s comeback went entirely according to plan, stopping the Leeds man with a brutal right hand in front of 5,000 raucous fans in Dublin, his first time fighting in the Irish capital.
Conlan (20-3, with 10 KOs) should now have more options for his next move, and Wasserman’s Kalle Sauerland believes a world title shot could be paired with another Irish-Britain blockbuster.
“There are still Irish/British blockbusters… you know the names,” he said. “Leigh Wood, Josh Warrington, other names are probably knocking about but those are the two big ones.
“And then there’s the other avenue, which is a world title shot. Is there a possible way of merging the two? I dunno.
“We’ve seen crazy things in boxing before.”
Could Conlan face Wood or Warrington in Dublin?
Though Conlan lost to Wood in his hometown Nottingham, Sauerland says a return fight in Dublin, or against Leeds’ Josh Warrington, is possible also.
“I don’t see why not,” said Sauerland, “this was a homecoming fight, and it ended up with a statement win.”
Conlan, 33, was sure on one thing; he wants the rest of his fights to be either in Dublin or New York’s Madison Square Gardens.
“I know what I want, and I still believe I can be world champion,” he said.
“If that’s not a possibility [next], an eliminator. If that’s not a possibility, the biggest fight for the biggest money possible.
“One thing’s for sure, I want the rest of my fights to either be here in Dublin or MSG.”
Conlan: Bateson made mistake with gloves
Conlan also insisted Bateson made a mistake on Friday night, with a late change of gloves.
“I respect Jack so much – but his team made a massive mistake,” said Conlan.
“My gloves were padded gloves to protect my hands, and they didn’t want me to use my gloves so we went with his. Mine were more spongy… it was the biggest mistake he made.
“As soon as it landed, I knew it was over.”
