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Michael Conlan defeats T.J. Doheny in hometown of Belfast

By Jeremy Herriges

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 30: Michael Conlan makes his ring entrance before the International Super-Featherweight bout as part of The Homecoming boxing bill at SSE Arena Belfast on June 30, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - JUNE 30: Michael Conlan makes his ring entrance before the International Super-Featherweight bout as part of The Homecoming boxing bill at SSE Arena Belfast on June 30, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /
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Michael Conlan and former world boxing champion T.J. Doheny battled in an all-Irish affair in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Conlan took the win. 

Michael Conlan last fought in his hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland, in August 2019. Two years later, on Aug. 6, he again put on a show from Falls Park and earned another victory against former world boxing champion T.J. Doheny.

Conlan and Doheny had a packed Belfast crowd roaring with excitement. It was a very slow start, but the fight picked up dramatically in round 5. Conlan started to hurt Doheny with body punches. Conlan hit Doheny with a left to the liver from a southpaw stance that doubled Doheny over and forced a standing eight count from the referee.

Conlan mauled Doheny and went for the knockout. Doheny was in bad shape but managed to make it out of the round.

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Doheny recovered well in round 6, but his left eye appeared swollen. He fought on and cut Conlan under the right eye in round 8 after Conlan switched to orthodox.

After defeating T.J. Doheny, Michael Conlan is the interim WBA featherweight champion but could look for a major world title at super bantamweight

Doheny had a big round 11, but Conlan fed off the Belfast crowd in round 12 to regain the momentum. Doheny is also Irish, but Conlan is from Belfast and had the fans rooting for him all the way. They exploded with cheers every time Conlan connected with a combination in the final round. Doheny fought back, but after the final bell, it was clear Conlan won the fight.

The judges returned a score of 119-108 and two of 116-111 for Conlan, who remains undefeated. Conlan is the interim WBA featherweight champion but can challenge for a major world title at both featherweight and super bantamweight in the future.

Doheny dropped his second loss in a row. The former IBF super bantamweight champion is a solid boxer but is running out of chances to regain a world title at 34 years old.

Conlan should have some options moving forward. He’s more of a natural featherweight but has the fitness to fight a division below.

Next. Jonnie Rice shocks Michael Coffie with round 5 TKO. dark

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