James McClean pays heartfelt tribute to Mick Conlan after retirement
James McClean has posted a heartfelt tribute to Michael Conlan after the legendary boxer announced his retirement from the ring on Friday night.Having stated that his next defeat would be his final outing, Conlan stuck to his word and told reporters that he was hanging up the gloves following his decision loss to Kevin Walsh in Belfast last night.Tributes have poured in far and wide for Conlan, who has been a true warrior in the ring and a great representative for Irish boxing down through the years.Derry City footballer McClean was one of those to show their respect for the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, taking to Instagram to share a snap of the pair, along with the quote "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood. Greatest of respect @MickConlan11."McClean and Conlan have been friends for some time, with McClean even walking Conlan to the ring when he fought Jack Bateson in Dublin last September.That proved to be the final win of Conlan's career, and while many feel his points defeat to Walsh was harsh, the Belfast man is sticking to his word and has vowed to never box again."I said that the next defeat, no matter the circumstances, would be me finished with boxing and it has come," a devastated Conlan said in his dressing room."I didn't think I lost, but I wasn't good enough and that's just a fact. For me to become a world champion I need to be beating guys like that and beating them well. That was too close for comfort."I've been in the game a long time. To go out how I went out, maybe controversial whatever, but it's just time."I'm 34 now, too long in the tooth, I thought I won but it is what it is. I don't want to do it anymore so it's time to say goodbye to boxing."Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond
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