Michael Conlan vs. Kevin Walsh: Cale Sauerland is confident Conlan can secure the title shot

Conlan teamed up with Kalle’s Wasserman Boxing and Nisse Sauerland – since renamed MF Pro – for his return to the sport last year after a 15-month hiatus in the wake of Gill’s defeat.

Sauerland praised Conlan’s decision to come back low against Asad Asif Khan on the undercard of Harlem Eubank’s clash with Tyrone McKenna in Brighton last March.

“When you sign with him, the first thing you think about is Belfast, Dublin or New York?

“He said he didn’t want to main event and would take less money to be a co-feature to take the pressure off with a new trainer. That’s when you realize as a promoter you’re dealing with someone who knows what he’s doing.

“That’s exactly what he needed, he knocked the rust off and wanted to be out there out of the limelight doing his job with Grant. [Smith] In his corner.

“He turned down money to do it, so he tells me he’s not just looking to make a quick buck at the end of his career, he wants to get the world title.”

Sauerland has been a long-time fan of Conlan and was thrilled to secure the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist’s signature in 2025.

Conlan maintains a high profile despite falling short of a world title shot against Lee Wood in 2022 and Luis Alberto Lopez the following year, and his promoter feels he is a “puzzle” who has not added a professional world title to his 2015 amateur gold medal.

“I have followed him for a long time and this chapter is the most important for him – every fight is huge,” he stressed.

“When you think he hasn’t won a world title, it doesn’t seem real.

“He has all the skills, he comes from a boxing family, and it was stolen from him [2016 Olympics] Gold medal so we know how good of a fighter he is.

“He came within 90 seconds of the world title [against Wood] But how he didn’t become a world champion is a mystery.”