It's time for Michael Conlan to prove he's a championship-level fighter

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

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Michael Conlan spoke with clear intention following his tougher-than-expected time with Ionut Baluta in April.

“I want Stephen Fulton in Belfast in August,” said Conlan, calling out the WBO junior featherweight world champion in the moments following his majority decision win over Baluta. “With the politics of boxing, will it be possible for then? I don’t know, but we will hope so. If it can happen in August I would love that, but if not then in the winter in New York.

“I will stay active and fight in August no matter what, so it’s straight back into the gym. I know I have to be patient and can’t rush too quick, so if I have to wait until December for the world title then that’s no problem.”

Well, now in August, Conlan’s words of affirmation have aged with partial accuracy. Conlan fights Saturday in Belfast just as he wanted. But it won’t be against Fulton. Conlan clashes with former 122-pound world champion TJ Doheny in front of his hometown fans at Falls Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The bout was originally slated as a junior featherweight 10-rounder before being elevated to a WBA interim featherweight championship matchup.

Conlan can’t wait.

“It’s an all-Irish fight, the biggest all-Irish fight in the last 40 years or so,” he said in a Top Rank press release. “What I’m really excited for is that TJ will have his own fan base, and I’ll have my massive fan base out here in Belfast. It will make a difference from my last fights. I’m really excited. I’ve been putting the work in, and I know what I need to do.”

Conlan should be excited, for this is the 29-year-old two-time Olympian’s opportunity to prove that he’s a championship-caliber boxer before his hometown fans and all those who will be streaming the fight live via ESPN+.

Although he defeated Baluta nearly four months ago, Conlan didn’t exactly dominate the contest, as the rugged Romanian pushed the Irish fighter to his limits. Conlan left plenty to be desired, considering how often he left himself vulnerable to counters and surprising shots from Baluta while asserting his jab.

It was too close for comfort before the judges scored it 117-112, 115-114 and 114-114 in Conlan’s favor as he improved to 15-0, having survived a scare in his first junior featherweight and 12-round fight of his career.