In the aftermath of his most recent defeat, Irish Olympian Michael Conlan has parted ways with head trainer Adam Booth.
Conlan was initially trained in the early days by Manny Robles. He hired Booth in early 2018 and they worked together in two world title fights.
Last year, Conlan challenged WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood. After dropping Wood early and appearing to be close to a stoppage win, Wood rallied down the stretch to knock the Irish fighter out cold in the final round.
Back in May, Conlan stepped in the ring with IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez at the SSE Arena back in May. After a very fast start, Conlan was eventually knocked out in the fifth round.
After mulling over his future, Conlan plans to revamp his corner and continue forward.
“I don’t blame anybody, but I’m doing a big shake-up at the minute around how I’m moving forward,” Conlan told the Belfast Telegraph.
“It’s a fresh start with a fresh set-up and we’ll look at the best options. Possibly Miami, possibly England and possibly the same gym with a different coach. I’ve already spoken (with Booth) and we ended it amicably. I’m not pointing fingers or blaming anybody, but I just need something different.”
Conlan has not hired a new trainer, but he plans to test the services of veteran coach Buddy McGirt, who next week will work the corner of Dillian Whyte in his rematch with Anthony Joshua.
“I like the Cuban coaches: Pedro Díaz, Jorge Rubio. I’ve been speaking to Buddy McGirt as well and will go over to see him next week in England and do a few days to see what he is like, but I don’t think I’ll have it nailed down in the next month or so anyway,” said Conlan.
“I’m not just going to try one coach and go ‘that’s it’ as I did that at the start of my career with Manny (Robles). I don’t regret that, but then I probably should have shopped around a lot more, so we’ll see.”
Since turning pro, Conlan has been promoted by Top Rank. He didn’t indicate if that relationship will indeed continue in the future.