LEEDS, England — While Ishmael Davis prepares for a fourth fight in five months, his training partner and local friend Jack Bateson is steadily on the mend and keeping spirits high awaiting the all-clear to start running and boxing again.

A week before Davis fell short in a competitive 12-round tussle with Caoimhin Agyarko in Belfast, Bateson (20-2-1, 6 KOs) had his big opportunity cut short against Michael Conlan 100 miles away in Dublin.

Already floored in round three of a fight bubbling nicely, Bateson landed awkwardly after the second knockdown a round later and broke his right ankle on the way down to the canvas - Conlan celebrating an electric win while his ex-sparring partner dealt with yet another setback.

That didn't dim his spirits and while a sore experience to relive, it doesn't stop him from being out and about, making a point to attend his father Mark's suite show opposite Elland Road and interact with locals who wonder how he's doing in his recovery.

Sporting a brace on the night, the 31-year-old shuffles around throughout the night and warmly replies when asked, albeit repetitively, that he's fine, waiting for positive updates from the doctors on when he can go full-throttle doing what he loves the most.

Spending time with wife Greta and their two daughters, Sienna and Skye, is a luxury he couldn't afford until now, a welcome distraction from the frustrating politics that sees him on the outside looking in once more.

"I'm able to spend a good bit of time with my family which I couldn't do before, healing up nicely and just looking forward to getting back to it, back end of the first quarter in 2026, I'll be back," he tells The Ring.

"The last year or two has been really difficult, haven't had much luck. My last four fights: broke my hand in one, my ankle in the last one, had a bad cut and technical draw in another, only one fight went how it should have properly. I've got to get back to it, the [Conlan] fight was good but never got going, I need to rebuild but don't want fights against journeymen - proper fights now.

"Hopefully I'll get those opportunities, it's something I want to prove that I deserve."

After suffering a 12th-round stoppage defeat by newly-minted European junior featherweight champion Shabaz Masoud in November 2022, Bateson rebuilt with two six-round contests on shows promoted by father Mark like the one we're speaking at here.

Although the likes of former world lightweight title challenger Josh Padley and other notable names have featured in similar banqueting suite settings over recent years, there's naturally a desire to veer away from the small-hall scene after tasting a sliver of the big leagues.

"For most amateurs when they turn pro, they have a pathway. I won two senior ABA titles, nine at national level and had no promotional backing. I don't want to rebuild on these sorts of shows, even before the Conlan one... shouldn't be doing that. My manager [Lee Eaton] knows that, I just need those opportunities," he continues.

Having stopped Indian pro Rakesh Lohchab on a GBM show 30 miles from home in Sheffield last September, a bigger opportunity was in the offing against Danny Quartermaine (13-1-1, 4 KOs) that December.

Disaster struck deep in the second round, with the ringside doctor deeming neither fit to continue after both were cut by a head clash. An immediate rematch was expected for Quartermaine's IBF and WBO ranking titles at junior lightweight, but never rescheduled.

Queensberry-backed talent Royston Barney-Smith (15-0, 7 KOs) wrestled away those 130-pound belts in a messy, forgettable bout on the Fabio Wardley-Joseph Parker undercard on October 25 and has bigger bouts awaiting him in 2026.

"I think Royston is a good fighter, Danny should've been stripped after not fighting me a few months later but it is what it is, karma comes in many different ways," he says when asked about the Quartermaine chapter of his career.

He talks of his excitement to see how 'really special' Giorgio Visioli progresses, while openly discussing Conlan's dilemma as far as future fight options are concerned - do you double down on re-establishing world title ambitions and roll the dice or accept the most lucrative offers?

There's an awareness he's not in the position to think big right now but, realistically, a belief that one small-hall appearance should be enough to sound the alarm for potential suitors.

"I've been boxing 22 years, had 23 fights as a pro and 120 amateur fights. Big fights are the only thing that get me motivated, I'd happily jump straight back into another big one, but one [small-hall fight] should be enough," he replies when asked to assess 2026 upon his return.

He told a local outlet of a desire not to be part of the dreaded 'Who Needs Him?' club, one Michael McKinson and Jack Massey - among other compatriots - have found themselves in and among the lower weight divisions, it's even harder when you're not a puncher who presents other risks.

The matchmaking mystery can't be at the forefront of his mind. First things first, time to bank more kettlebell and circuit workouts before the hard work resumes once more in the new year.