For Irish star Michael Conlan, nothing in boxing exists beyond Jack Bateson.
The talented Leeds man faces Conlan on September 5 at the 3Arena in Dublin in the second fight the Belfastman has had since returning from back-to-back losses and aligning himself with new promoters, Wasserman Boxing, and a new trainer in Grant Smith.
While the 33-year-old wants to win an elusive world title, nothing matters but Bateson.
Conlan picked up hand damage in an eight-round win over Asad Asif Khan in March, and he had been set to face European champion Cristobal Lorente, from Spain, who drew over 12 rounds with countryman Ruben Gil on Saturday.
“What’s in front of me is Jack Bateson, it’s the only really thing on my radar,” Conlan told BoxingScene.
Political issues behind the scenes scuppered the European shot, but that is a fight Conlan remains keen on.
Conlan is familiar with Bateson, too.
“I’ve sparred Jack a few times, he’s a lovely kid, a good fighter, someone who has something to prove as well, so I need to be switched on because obviously I’ve been in situations like this before and not been switched on and lost, so I know what I have to do. I know the work I need to put in and the preparation that needs to happen for me to be successful. I need to be on top of my game and go in there and get the job done.”
Conlan did rounds with Bateson when Jack was on Team GB, and the Leeds fighter also visited Adam Booth’s gym south of London when Conlan trained there.
“I have no ill feeling towards him, no bad things to say about him, and albeit the press conferences and anything like that, they’ll all be respectful, because I like him as a person,” Conlan added. “He’s sound.”
Bateson is 21-1-1 (6 KOs).
But Conlan reiterated that the desire is to claim a world title. A two-time Olympian, he remains desperate to add a belt to his long list of accolades.
“One hundred per cent,” he said. “It’s the only reason I’m in the game. I don’t need to box. I could retire now and say to myself, ‘I don’t want to think back if I’m 36, 37, and go, why didn’t I give it one more go?’ So, I’ll give it one more go, and, and listen, as I say, I’m a realist, there’s a possibility it doesn’t happen. And if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t. I’ll say, ‘hasta luego, I’m out of here, bye-bye, thank you for everything.’ It’s been great to me, but it's time to say goodbye. I understand that’s definitely a possibility, but I want to be the best me and give it all I can give it in this last go, and if I get there, unbelievable. If I don’t get there, so be it. It’s boxing.”
