ROTHERHAM, England — In March, Michael Conlan returned from a 15-month layoff and dipped his toe back into the featherweight waters with a lowkey eight-round decision victory over Asad Asif Khan.

Last month, he proved he is still more than capable of swimming.

Boxing in Dublin for the first time as a professional, the Irish hero turned away the ambitious Jack Bateson and sent a loud, expectant crowd home happy after dropping the Leeds man heavily with a well-timed right hand in the fourth round.

It was exactly the type of explosive, exciting finish the two-time Olympian needed to inject life and belief back into his quest to secure a world title before calling time on his career.

"I felt like I was fully back. Khan was a standard comeback. I wasn't expecting bells and whistles for that one," Conlan (20-3, 10 KOs) told The Ring.

"This one, with a more known opponent and a decent fighter in Jack Bateson, I knew that I had to show that a points win wasn't going to be enough. I had to put a performance on and was happy to go and do it.

"That was a live, determined opponent. He had everything on the line as well. A loss for me would have closed doors. Maybe not for Jack, but he was raring to go for his biggest opportunity. I just got to go, be myself and that's what I've done and got the job done."

The fight was Conlan's second since the 33-year-old decided to launch one final assault on the world scene and joined up with the highly respected Grant Smith at the Sheffield-based trainer's Steel City Gym.

Conlan has spent his life in the sport and isn't going to waste his time training with somebody he doesn't think can improve him but at this stage of his career, he also needs to enjoy his work. Working with Smith has ticked every box.

"I was really happy and I think the connection, working with Grant has been fantastic for me. It's just back to basics," he said.

"The connection with the coach and the team around is good. Also, outside the ring where I can go and play golf and have fun. I relate to him as a man and how he is as a man.

"It's the perfect fit."

Conlan's victories over Khan and Bateson won't earn him a fast-track ticket to a world title shot but the rounds have helped him to solidify his partnership with Smith and the performances have bolstered belief that he is ready for a serious step up in competition.

Conlan currently sits 11th in the WBC rankings and has seen a path towards a shot at the famous green and gold belt.

The top of the WBC featherweight division is a complicated mess. Stephen Fulton holds the full title, Bruce Carrington is the interim champion and Rey Vargas retains his champion in recess title despite not fighting since March 2024.

Two weeks ago, Conlan watched on as the WBC's No. 1 contender, Nathaniel Collins, battled to an exciting 12-round draw with European champion Cristobal Lorente.

Collins will have designs on a title challenge of his own once the logjam ahead sorts itself out, but in Conlan’s eyes a 2026 fight with the Scotsman makes perfect sense.

"It's opening up," he said of the featherweight division. "I'm obviously rated in the WBC rankings, wouldn't mind the next fight to be against Nathaniel.

"I have the utmost respect for him. I know him, we've sparred together, we're mates and both Celtic fans as well. That's the right fight next I think. Whether or not Nathaniel takes it or the rematch, who knows? But I would like that one next."