Michael Conlan says he’s “devastated and heartbroken” after being knocked out within the remaining spherical of Saturday’s WBA featherweight title showdown with Leigh Wood.
Having dropped Wood within the first spherical, Conlan was main on the playing cards heading into the twelfth and remaining spherical.
But Wood produced a knockout which noticed Conlan unconscious for “a minute or two” after falling via the ropes.
“When I woke up I was like ‘what occurred? Did I lose?’,” stated Conlan.
Amid worrying scenes, the Belfast boxer acquired therapy ringside and was taken out of the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on a stretcher.
The 30-year-old woke up in an ambulance on the best way to hospital and stated “it felt like a dream”.
“I was devastated. I was aggravated, I acquired a bit pissed off and I was confused. There was a realisation as issues began to kick in,” he added after struggling the primary defeat of his 17-fight skilled profession.
“I believed it was going to be my night time, it was going to be my night time till that punch. It’s simply unlucky however these items occur.”
After being taken to hospital, Conlan was discharged “inside the hour” after having scans, blood being taken and an MRI.
“Everything is evident and there’s nothing to fret about. It was good and fast, and as soon as they acquired the outcomes again they stated I may go,” he stated.
“It wasn’t lengthy, I was in all probability again within the lodge for 2am. It is what it’s, I’m heartbroken however I acquired beat so cannot complain.
“It was only a shot I did not see. I turned my head and I wasn’t trying – any shot that is coming that I may see I may take, however that one acquired me and took me out.
“It’s those you do not see which might be those which do the injury.”
‘I desire a rematch’
Conlan praised Nottingham native Wood for his muted celebrations whereas he was receiving therapy following his fall and stated the bout, which promoter Eddie Hearn described as “one of many biggest comebacks”, deserves a rematch.
“I desire a rematch. I suppose the efficiency, with me main on the playing cards, deserves a rematch,” he stated.
“I suppose I’ve slept an hour. I’ve been on my cellphone issues. I’ve been off social media so I was seeing every little thing and there was a great deal of constructive stuff.
“At the identical time, I misplaced. I hate shedding. It’s the worst feeling on this planet for me.”
Conlan stated he spent the night time watching the battle again and stated he was shocked Wood recovered from being knocked to the canvas within the first spherical.
“I knew I was profitable, and when I watched it again I was profitable,” he added.
“It was a fantastic shot and he fell like a bag of bricks. I was shocked he acquired up after which he had a minute to recuperate.
“Like I stated within the build-up, he has massive coronary heart.
“I slipped within the eleventh and that basically aggravated me. There may need been a punch thrown on the similar time, nevertheless it was legit a slip.
“That modified the entire plan for spherical 12. I was going to field and transfer, I felt I needed to win it.
“I comprehend it was battle and I was in management. There had been issues in there I ought to have executed higher, and on the finish of the day I am at fault and I am the man who misplaced.”
