'End of the road' for Conlan after defeat by Walsh

Conlan retires with a record of 20-4 in his pro career Michael Conlan has confirmed it's the "end of the road" following his split decision defeat by Kevin Walsh at Belfast's SSE Arena. The former world amateur champion had hoped a victory would set up a third shot at top honours as a professional, but in a rather drab affair, Walsh was awarded two 96-94 verdicts with Conlan taking the third card 97-93. The 33-year-old visitor from the United States maintained his perfect record which extends to 20 victories in as many contests, while Conlan's record ends at 20-4.

Conlan had high hopes of landing a shot at WBC featherweight champion Bruce Carrington later in the year. It was a fight that never quite came alive despite some brief moments as Conlan sought to box rather than brawl and, while Walsh was never in full command, his moments were enough to see him take a career-best win with the Belfast man announcing his retirement. "I said that the next defeat, no matter the circumstances, would be me finished with boxing and it has come," Conlan told reporters in a sombre dressing room afterwards.

"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. " Walsh claimed the WBC International featherweight title Walsh danced to the ring, exuding the confidence of a man who had yet to taste defeat as a professional and despite being a long way from his home of Brockton, Massachusetts, he appeared right at home.