Michael Conlan retires from boxing after shock defeat to Kevin Walsh

Michael Bolton

Michael Conlan has retired from boxing after his shock defeat to Kevin Walsh in Belfast on Friday night.

Conlan lost a split-decision to Walsh in the SSE Arena, with Walsh winning two scorecards 96-94.

After the fight, Conlon confirmed his retirement from the sport, with a record of 20-4.

The 2012 Olympic bronze medalist said: "I said that the next defeat, no matter the circumstances, would be me finished with boxing and it has come.

“I didn’t think I lost, but I wasn’t good enough and that’s just a fact. For me to become a world champion, I need to be beating guys like that and beating them well. That was too close for comfort.

“I’m 34 now, too long in the tooth, I thought I won but it is what it is. I don’t want to do it anymore, so it’s time to say goodbye to boxing.

“I can never be bitter with the situation because it gives you so much and takes so much. I’ve always said you can never love the sport as it will never love you back.

“I want to walk away with my health intact and my family good. I’ve done really well in boxing, have reached some serious heights and fought in some serious arenas around the world, done things many fighters don’t get to do.”