Belfast featherweight boxer Michael Conlan says the “only reason” he is still boxing is to win a world title.
Conlan last fought in December 2023 when he suffered a knockout loss to Jordan Gill.
The Northern Irishman’s seventh-round stoppage of Gill followed world title defeats by Lee Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez.
And after a year out of the ring when it looked like his career might be over, the 33-year-old is targeting a return in 2025 as he looks to work his way back into world title contention.
“[Winning a world title] That’s the only reason I’m still boxing, I still want to be world champion, and I still believe I have the ability to go and do it,” he told BBC Sport NI. .
“It’s tempting to go back to it.”
Conlan plans a number of fights this year, starting with a bout in March and believes he is ready to return to the ring after a long absence.
“Most likely I’ll be back in March, comeback-style fight, 8-10 rounds, get it done and maybe four to three fights overall this year,” he added.
“It will be a busy one that I need after a good break and now I’m back at it.”
The Olympic medalist says there were “ups and downs” during his year off in 2024, but the break was very rewarding.
“It wasn’t the best year of my life, there were things that happened, that’s life, but it was also very nice to have some rest, and I think it’s done me the world of good.
“This is the longest I’ve been away from boxing, the body has been rested, the mind has been rested and now I’m hungry to get back and work.”