WEST Belfast boxer Michael Conlan celebrated a unanimous victory on his home turf on Friday when he beat Portlaoise opponent TJ Doheny at a Feile fight night in the Falls Park.
Cheering crowds braved heavy rain to support Conlon (29) in the bout that went 12 rounds, ending with a unanimous decision by judges.
Conlan sent Doheny to the canvas in the fifth round with a well-aimed body shot, to huge cheers from the home crowd.
The win means Clonard Boxing Club-trained Conlan retains his record of 16 wins out of 16 professional bouts.
The Fight Night event saw an estimated 8,000 fans descend on Falls Park for 10 fights showcasing Irish boxing talent, with Olympic medal winner Conlon headlining the final bout of the night.
Speaking after the fight, Conlan described his opponent as a "tough, tough dude", adding that it was "an honour" to take him on.
"I thought it was a good performance and I'm just delighted, absolutely delighted - elated," he said.
"I was able to show a lot of everything in there...show my aggressive game, show my counter punching game," he added.
In 2019, Féile an Phobail held a Fight Night as part of that year's festival, with Conlan taking on Argentinian fighter Diego Alberto Ruiz at Falls Park.
The west Belfast boxer said following Friday's event: "I thought 2019 couldn't be beaten, but I think tonight just did."
