\n<\/p>\n
Conlan teamed up with Kalle and Nisse Sauerland’s Wasserman Boxing – since rebranded MF Pro – for his return to the sport last year after taking a 15-month hiatus in the wake of the Gill defeat.<\/p>\n
Sauerland applauded Conlan’s decision to make a low-key return against Asad Asif Khan on the undercard of Harlem Eubank v Tyrone McKenna in Brighton last March.<\/p>\n
“When you sign him, the first thing you think, is it Belfast, Dublin or New York?<\/p>\n
“He said he didn’t want to be main event and will take less money to be a co-feature to take the pressure off with a new trainer. That’s when you realise as a promoter you’re dealing with someone who knows what he’s doing.<\/p>\n
“That’s exactly what he needed, he got the rust off and wanted to be out there away from the limelight to do his thing with Grant [Smith] in his corner.<\/p>\n
“He turned down money to do that so it tells me he’s not just in this for a quick buck at the end of his career but wants that world title.”<\/p>\n
Sauerland has been a long-time admirer of Conlan and was delighted to capture the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist’s signature in 2025.<\/p>\n
Conlan retains a high profile despite falling short in world title bids against Leigh Wood in 2022 and Luis Alberto Lopez the following year and his promoter feels it “is a mystery” he hasn’t added a professional world title to his 2015 world amateur gold medal.<\/p>\n
“I’ve followed him for a long time and this chapter for him is the most important one – every fight is massive,” he stressed.<\/p>\n
“When you think he hasn’t won a world title, it doesn’t feel real.<\/p>\n
“He’s got all the skills, is from a boxing family, got robbed of the [2016 Olympics] gold medal so we know how good a fighter he is. <\/p>\n
“He’s come within 90 seconds of a world title [against Wood] but how he hasn’t become a world champion is a mystery.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n