Michael Conlan looks to edge closer to another world title clash when he faces Kevin Walsh in a homecoming bout in Belfast on Friday.
Conlan (20-3, 10 KOs) puts his WBC International featherweight title on the line against Walsh (19-0, 10 KOs) at the SSE Arena, live on DAZN.
Conlan, a standout amateur, has so far failed to fulfil his undeniable potential, falling short in two previous world title attempts against Leigh Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez respectively.
The 34-year-old is continuing his rebuild following a third professional defeat to Jordan Gill in 2023 and looked close to his best in a fourth round stoppage victory over Jack Bateson in September to win the title he defends on Saturday.
A victory for Conlan here will steer him towards a future shot at WBC featherweight world champion, Bruce Carrington.
Walsh is undefeated in 19 professional bouts, but is a relative unknown heading into the toughest test of his career.
The Massachusetts man has never fought outside of the USA and secured a unanimous decision win over Jose Nunez Sosa in his last outing in November.
Prediction: Conlan should have far too much for Walsh and can stop the American by halfway.
Molloy meets Kohlen
Unbeaten Irish welterweight, Kieran Molloy has impressed in the early stages of his professional career and vies for his first belt against Xavier Kohlen.
Molloy (13-0, 7 KOs) battles Kohlen (15-2-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant IBF European welterweight strap.
Prediction: Molloy can become just the second man to stop the Dutchman.
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Remaining Undercard
Niall Brown (17-0, 6 KOs) should continue his undefeated streak with a points win over Darren Johnstone (12-1, 3 KOs) at super middleweight.
Glenn Byrne (6-0-1, 1 KO) can also win by decision against Owen O’Neill (13-2, 1 KO) at super welterweight and Ben Marksby (13-0, 2 KOs) can do the same against Argentina’s Carlos Daniel Cordoba (16-13-1, 4 KOs) at super lightweight.
Yorkshire super featherweight, Codie Smith (8-0-1) appeared on the undercard of Conlan’s win over Bateson and he should secure a points victory over Lee Gormley (6-2, 1 KO).
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Jak Corrie (8-0, 5 KOs) may need the distance to see off the durable Jacob Quinn (8-7-1) at super welterweight.
Kurt Walker (12-1, 2 KOs) suffered a first professional defeat last time out against Liam Davies, but he should return to winning ways on points in a lightweight clash with Yahir Alexander Solorio Morales (6-21-5, 2 KOs).
20-year-old prospect, Kyle Smith (3-0, 1 KO) should pick up a fourth professional victory with a win over four rounds against Eduardo Vera Sanchez (2-17-2) at 154 pounds and lightweight Sam Norris (1-0) can do the same against Stefan Vincent (2-44).
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