Michael Conlan hopes to fight at least three times this year, starting with an eagerly anticipated comeback in March.

The Belfast boxer hasn't been seen since suffering a devastating stoppage defeat to Jordan Gill in December 2023.

There were some doubts over whether Conlan would return to the ring following his second successive loss, one that detonated hopes of landing a coveted world title.

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But after some soul searching, and running a sub-three-hour marathon after joining the Road Runners Athletics Club, Conlan is ready to return. It is understood the former Olympian will fight in England in March.

He told Belfast Live: "March time will be the first one back. Get back to the ring and get back to fighting again. It will be eight to 10 rounds.

"The plan is to have four fights in 2025. It might be three, but the plan is four.

"It was a decision I came to terms with between December and March. When I was training for the marathon I was like 'f*** this s***'. I am not getting paid for this. I'd rather be back fighting because the running training was just as hard.

"But the running club actually really helped me get back to myself and get focused again on what I want. And understanding I still have the ability to do what I want to do.

"It wasn't as long as probably what people thought. I just didn't announce things quickly. I just got my head right and then went back to business."

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Conlan confirmed that he won't be making his comeback in Belfast, despite being linked with the massive SSE Arena card scheduled for March 1 headlined by Lewis Crocker's showdown with Paddy Donovan.

He feels it is important to step away from. the bubble of fighting in his home city, as he looks to ease himself back into action following a lengthy hiatus.

"Just the first one. I want to get away and have a fight and then I will come back to Belfast, no problem," he said.

"I just wanted to keep this one low-key. The first two fights will be stay busy fights, and then the next two will be bigger and get me closer to a world title fight.

"Hopefully I will be fighting for a world title at the end of this year or at the start of the next. That is the ultimate goal."

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