Michael Conlan: 'It’s prize fighting and it’s up to me to deliver for my family'

Not far from Epsom Downs Racecourse, Irish featherweight boxer Michael Conlan sits in his rented accommodation and reflects on his transient lifestyle. “It’s a nice part of the world here in Surrey, but when I’m here I’m just a hermit. I eat, I sleep, I train and, maybe if I’m feeling adventurous, I might go to the cinema. It sounds fairly dull, but I just have to live this life during these years to give my family everything they need.”

Conlan boasts a record of 10 fights and 10 wins as a professional, with six coming by knockout. A two-time Olympian, he won bronze in London in 2012 before following that up with a World Championship gold in 2015. Conlan was predicted to win gold in Rio de Janeiro before losing a highly contentious decision in the quarter-finals. The image of Conlan vehemently protesting the decision in the ring could have been a tragic footnote to his boxing career, but instead it built searing momentum to his professional debut.

Two years ago Conlan debuted at the Madison Square Garden theatre on St Patrick’s Day, led into the ring by UFC star Conor McGregor. “When you think about it, on my debut I was able to experience a crowd that 90%, or maybe even 95% of professional fighters don’t get to ever experience. The crowd was filled with Irish fans and then I was getting led in by Conor in New York, who is someone I admire to this day. There was so much expectation on me and I thought to myself: ‘Please just get this job done and don’t let those people who have come to see you down.’ Thank God I didn’t.”

Backed by Top Rank, Conlan’s early career was spent in Los Angeles. “LA was an interesting time for me. I was lucky to have my partner Shauna and children over, and they loved it. I just found it so lonely if I’m honest. No sunshine can compensate for not having your friends and family near. I was very grateful for the training I received and what I learnt in the ring, but I soon knew it was time to be nearer home.”

Conlan resettled his family in Belfast and now travels to England to work with trainer Adam Booth. The move has worked both professionally and personally. He has formed a strong bond with Booth and returns home regularly during camps. Family is an integral part of Conlan’s life and his brother Jamie, a fellow professional fighter, remains a close confidante.

“If my brother Jamie had been into football or hurling, not boxing, I probably wouldn’t be here doing this interview. Growing up I always idolised him. Whatever he did, I wanted to do. He’s always been such a huge part of my development, encouraging me and wanting me to do well. Jamie is a different style of fighter to me. I always hated watching him fight: he just went to war every time he got between the ropes and I felt helpless. Now he’s not fighting, he’s always there for me, making sure everything’s perfect outside of the ring. I couldn’t ask for more.”