Michael Conlan Uncertain On Boxing Future After Knockout Loss

Michael Conlan isn’t sure what his future in boxing is.

Conlan suffered a fifth-round knockout loss to Luis Alberto Lopez as he was fighting for the IBF featherweight title. It was his second crack at a world title and both times he has came up short.

Now, at 31-years-old, the Irish Olympian isn’t sure what his future holds but knows what he did wrong in losing to Lopez.

“Look how I started: aggressive, and when do I start aggressive? That was nothing to do with Lopez, was myself and how I approached things,” Conlan told Belfast Media. “I don’t know why, but all down to me and the mistakes I initially made within those first few seconds. That was ultimately the downfall.”

Although Conlan has lost twice in his attempt for a world title, and with that, it’s unlikely he gets another shot for quite some time. But, there are still lucrative options for him if he is plans to stick around.

Yet, his older brother Jamie, retired at 31 in 2017 after he lost his fight for the world title, which is why Conlan will be taking his time to see if he wants to continue to box.

“It’s been a long one [my career in boxing]. Long enough and I haven’t reached the level of professional boxing I believe my ability could have,” Conlan said. “Some people’s route to world titles are harder than others. Timing and everything else comes into the equation, but unfortunately it hasn’t played out how I wanted it to, but there is still time if I decide to stay on – not loads of time but time – but it’s still a conversation I need to have with myself and my team.” 

Michael Conlan (18-2) is coming off the loss to Lopez and before that, was on a two-fight win streak as he beat Karim Guerfi and Miguel Marriaga. In his first crack for the world title, he suffered a 12th-round TKO loss to Leigh Wood. In his career, Conlan holds notable wins over Jason Cunningham and Vladimir Nikitin.

Do you think we see Michael Conlan fight again?