Michael Conlan will make his long-awaited Dublin debut in the first week of September, as the two-time world title challenger is scheduled to face Jack Bateson in what Wasserman are billing a route back towards world championship contention.

Kalle Sauerland told The Ring last month that this would be a 'big fight that leads to other big fights' and all things considered, he'll box Bateson (20-1-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-round contest for a vacant WBC International strap which gives him a ranking with the sanctioning body.

The 33-year-old ended a 14-month layoff with an 8-round points win over the durable Asad Asif Khan at the Brighton Centre on March 1, in the first of a multi-fight deal aligned under the Wasserman promotional banner.

Consecutive stoppage defeats by now-former IBF champion Luis Alberto Lopez and Jordan Gill left the Belfast man pondering retirement before a change of heart prompted him to rebuild and go again.

European featherweight champion Cristobal Lorente was originally the plan, the 29-year-old was brought into the ring for a post-fight face-off on England's south Coast. Instead, he defended his title with a 12-round split draw against compatriot Ruben Gil on July 5.

In a press release, Conlan said: "I am truly honoured to be fighting in Dublin for the first time in my professional career. I boxed countless times in the city as an amateur, and achieved so much of my success there, so to finally be fighting in Dublin as a pro is genuinely exciting.

"And it's a big fight too. I have plenty of respect for Jack, we have sparred many rounds, and he poses a real threat to my world title plans. I will have to be on my A-game to win, but with the Dublin fans' support, we can make this a special night on my road back to the top."

Bateson's only pro loss came in the final stanza of a 12-round battle of unbeaten contenders with Shabaz Masoud in November 2022. Since then, he notched three consecutive wins before a nasty head clash during his IBF/WBO European junior lightweight matchup against Danny Quartermaine saw their showdown end prematurely in December.

There was talk of an immediate rematch, housed by GBM Sports, though instead Quartermaine opted for a more lucrative showdown with unbeaten prospect Royston Barney-Smith - a July 26 matchup that recently fell by the wayside due to injury.

Bateson is nonetheless glad to have landed on his feet after enduring a lengthy wait for fight news.

"Now the time has finally come, Michael Conlan is the sort of fight I've been waiting and working patiently for. Fighting him in Ireland, in-front of his fans could crumble some fighters but I'm confident and experienced enough to fight whoever, whenever.

"What he's achieved in the sport has been remarkable, but boxing is all about timing and I believe I am coming into my peak years as a pro. I've suffered defeat but it has only strengthened my resolve and made me a better fighter. On September 5 I will have to show some true Yorkshire grit, but am fully confident of securing a massive away win."

Elsewhere on the undercard, former world flyweight champion Charlie Edwards (20-2, 7 KOs) is set to return six months after a forgettable 12-round split decision defeat by Andrew Cain, while a matchup of unbeaten welterweights sees Ben Marksby (12-0, 2 KOs) face local favourite Senan Kelly (10-0, 2 KOs). Queensberry-backed contender Pierce O'Leary's European title defence against Jon Fernandez is also expected to land on this show.