New beginnings for Michael Conlan as Belfast return confirmed

Michael Conlan will make his ring return in December in Belfast after departing US promoter Top Rank for Matchroom Boxing as well as changing trainer.

Conlan will face former European and Commonwealth champion Jordan Gill on Saturday 2 December as he bids to recover from a second defeat on his career.

Conlan (27-2-1, 8 KOs) was last seen in action in May when he was stopped in five rounds by Mexico's IBF featherweight world champion Luis Alberto Lopez, his second successive world title loss following his bout with Leigh Wood in 2022.

The Belfast man has linked up with Cuban-American trainer Pedro Diaz for his comeback fight after splitting with Adam Booth and will return at super-featherweight as he looks to rebuild towards further world title shots.

Gill (27-2-1, 8 KOs) fights for the first time since his fourth-round stoppage loss to Spain’s two-weight World champion Kiko Martinez at Wembley Arena back in October 2022, and the Chatteris man is hoping to throw his name back into the mix for world title action by upsetting the local hero.

"I’m delighted to be coming back to the SSE Arena Belfast with Matchroom Boxing and a new coaching team," said Conlan.

"I’ve had many great nights here and I’m looking forward to creating more. Jordan is a good fighter but one standing in my way to where I want to go. It will be a fantastic night of boxing and I can’t wait to see you all there."

Belfast super-welterweight contender Caoimhin Agyarko (13-0, 7 KOs) steps up for the biggest challenge of his career to date against former British champion Troy Williamson (20-1-1, 14 KOs).

Tyrone McKenna and Lewis Crocker clash in a much-anticipated 147lbs all-Belfast showdown and local super-lightweight Sean McComb takes on Liverpool’s Sam Maxwell