Kevin Walsh W10 Mick Conlan ... In front of a hostile crowd at the SSE Arena,‘King’ Kevin Walsh (20-0, 10 KOs) earned the biggest win of his career, upsetting Michael 'Mick' Conlan (20-4, 10 KOs) by split decision. The featherweight bout was broadcast live worldwide on DAZN. Fighting outside the United States for the first time, the 33 year-old Walsh overcame both the atmosphere and a seasoned foe to secure a breakthrough victory that places him firmly on the cusp of a world title opportunity. The bout itself was a tactical, closely contested affair that remained nip-and-tuck through the final bell. Conlan, a 2012 Olympian representing Northern Ireland, opened the fight in his natural southpaw stance. Both fighters looked to establish the jab early, but Walsh edged the opening round with a series of right hands and a sharp left hook at the bell.
The exchange also included a clash of heads that left Conlan cut high on his forehead between the eyes, forcing the Irishman to fight through blood for the remainder of the bout. The fighters traded in round two, with Walsh again getting the better of the exchanges. Conlan switched to orthodox in rounds three and four, finding success digging to the body in close before returning to southpaw, where his length allowed him to better control the distance. That pattern would ultimately define the fight: the taller, rangier Conlan found success as a southpaw, while Walsh’s right hand and left hook consistently found a home whenever Conlan abandoned that stance.
The middle rounds were cagey, with both fighters trading in spots. Conlan attempted to dictate pace and rhythm, while Walsh continued to mix in sharp counters. A quieter fifth round gave way to a more active sixth, where Walsh began letting his hands go with greater frequency. By the seventh, the trend had become clear: whenever Conlan switched orthodox, Walsh pounced, closing distance and landing with authority.
That dynamic intensified down the stretch. In the eighth, Walsh connected with a clean left hook-right hand combination against an orthodox Conlan. In the ninth, he landed a left hand that visibly stunned the Irishman, though he was unable to fully capitalize. Heading into the final round, Conlan’s corner urged him to remain southpaw. Instead, under pressure, he again reverted to orthodox – and Walsh immediately seized the moment, landing a right hand as the fight came to a close. After ten competitive rounds, the judges were split: 97-93 Conlan and 96-94 Walsh (twice)– awarding Walsh the split decision victory.
"I was very confident I got the job done," Walsh said immediately after the fight. "It was a close fight. He’s a hell of a fighter, but I knew I did enough."
For Walsh, the win represents more than just a title – it is the culmination of an unlikely journey rooted in one of boxing’s most historic cities. Hailing from Brockton, Massachusetts, a city that produced legends like Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler, Walsh is now carving out his own place in that lineage.
A latecomer to the sport, Walsh spent his teenage years getting into fights and even serving time in jail. Lost at 22 following the death of his father, he found purpose in a boxing gym. What followed was a steady climb built on discipline, resilience, and belief – qualities that were on full display in Belfast. "I’m crying inside right now," Walsh admitted. "This is a blessing. My father was an Irish man – I feel like he set this whole thing up for me. God is good."
Walsh also made sure to acknowledge those who helped him reach this moment. "Shoutout to all my fans who came out from Brockton, to Ireland for the hospitality, and to my team: Billy Sprawls, Mike Cappiello, Mark DeLuca, Rich Cappiello, Jimmy Burchfield and CES Boxing. We did it!"
With the victory, Walsh positions himself within striking distance of a world title shot, and he wasted no time in making his intentions clear. "‘Shu Shu!’ Where you at, baby?," said Walsh to WBC featherweight champion Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington. "Let’s go. Give me my shot. You’re a hell of a fighter, but it’s my turn."
For CES Boxing founder Jimmy Burchfield Sr., the moment carried its own significance. "This young man is special," Burchfield said. "There’s no denying what he did tonight. I’m more proud of him than any fighter I’ve ever represented."
On a night where the odds and the setting favored the hometown hero, Kevin Walsh once again proved a familiar truth: adversity is nothing new to him. "I’ve faced adversity and overcome every challenge that’s come my way," Walsh said. "So to anyone out there: never give up. It doesn’t matter how old you are. It’s never too late. Believe in yourself."
