Michael Conlan has expressed world title aspirations and a March return in 2025 after a quiet 2024 with no bouts.

The Belfast hometown hero Michael Conlan is on a two fight skid after losing to Jordan Gill via TKO back in 2023, despite the losing streak Conlan is adamant he will return.

“[Winning a world title] is the only reason I’m still boxing, I still want to be a world champion, and I still believe I have the ability to go and do that,” he told BBC Sport NI.

“This is the trial to get back to that.”

Conlan aims to return to the ring on more than one occasion in 2025 to help his world title bid after a massive layoff.

Prior to the layoff Conlan put a fight of the year candidate with Leigh-Wood in Nottingham, Conlan got finished in the 12th after winning majority of the previous 11 rounds.

“Most likely I’ll be back out in March, a comeback style fight, 8-10 rounds, get that one done and probably fight another three times so four times in total this year,” he added.

“It will be a busy one which I need after a nice break and now I’m back at it.”

Conlan Has Had a Tough Year

Michael Conlan says his 2024 was full of “ups and downs” but has set him up for a strong return in 2025.

“It wasn’t the best year of my life, there was stuff that happened, that is life, but it was also very enjoyable to have some rest, and I think it’s done me the world of good,” Conlan said.

“It is the longest I’ve ever had off from boxing, the body has been rested, the mind has been rested and now I’m hungry to get back and get the job done.”

Conlan has had a taste of world championship boxing when he faced Luis Alberto Lopez in early 2023 but came up short being stopped in the 5th round, after his corner threw the towel in.

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