Conlan signs with Sauerland's Wasserman Boxing

Michael Conlan has signed a deal with the Wasserman Boxing agency headed by well-known promoter Kalle Sauerland as he attempts to maintain his world title ambitions.

The Belfast man, 33, has not fought since being knocked out in seven rounds by England's Jordan Gill in December 2023.

That defeat came after world title losses against Leigh Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez.

Conlan said this month that he was targeting a return to the ring in 2025 and is being tipped to fight on a 7 March bill in Brighton when his fellow Belfastman Tyrone McKenna will take on Harlem Eubank.

Unbeaten Eubank, a cousin of Chris Eubank Jnr, is part of the Wasserman Boxing stable which also includes British light-middleweight champion Josh Kelly.

"I still firmly believe I have the ability to get to the very top, and I did not want to retire and 10 or 15 years down the line thinking 'what if?'," said Conlan.

"For this defining period in my career, it was vital to partner with the right promoter and I am thrilled to team up with Kalle, [his brother] Nisse and the whole team at Wasserman Boxing."

The Sauerland brothers' clients during their promotional careers have included David Haye, Chris Eubank Jnr and Derek Chisora.

Kalle Sauerland described Conlan as a "true icon of Irish boxing".

"We are honoured he has decided to join us at Wasserman Boxing," said Wasserman's global head of boxing.

"He wants to cement his legacy by capturing the world title, and his determination to achieve that is infectious. Nisse and I cannot wait to set out on this journey with Michael because it promises to be extra special."

2012 Olympic bronze medallist and former world amateur champion Conlan made his professional debut at Madison Square Garden in 2017 after signing with Bob Arum's Top Rank stable but split with the legendary promoter after his second world title defeat in May 2023.

His contest against Gill seven months later was promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom stable.

The Gill bout left Conlan's professional record at 18 wins and three losses with all his defeats coming over the course of his past five contests.