Michael Conlan Defeats Ionut Baluta & Sunny Edwards Wins the IBF

London (April 30, 2021) — Michael “Mick” Conlan’s junior featherweight debut was somewhat more durable than anticipated, however the Belfast native pulled by. Conlan edged Ionut Baluta by majority choice (114-114, 115-114 and 117-112) to win the WBO Worldwide junior featherweight belt Friday in London, formally saying his intentions as a world title challenger at 122 kilos.

Conlan’s junior featherweight coronation was virtually spoiled, as Baluta closed the combat sturdy within the remaining three rounds. Conlan’s early lead proved an excessive amount of for the Romanian-born contender to beat. Baluta (14-3, 3 KOs), whose awkward assault was tough to decipher, entered the bout coming off upset victories over a pair of Conan’s Irish countrymen, TJ Doheny and Davey Oliver Joyce.

Conlan (15-0, 8 KOs), who’s the WBO No. 1 junior featherweight contender, can now look towards a title shot shortly. Whether or not the title shot is subsequent, or a pair bouts down the road, stays to be seen.

Conlan stated, “Baluta is a troublesome character, more durable than I assumed. And he confirmed it in his final two performances. He’s as recreation as they arrive. However he was lacking tons of punches, so I wasn’t actually nervous. However when {the primary scorecard learn} was a draw, I used to be like, ‘What’s occurring right here?’

“It was combat, good preparation for what’s to come back.

“I’ll keep lively. I’ll combat in August anyway, and I’ll get straight again within the health club.”

In the principle occasion, there was an upset, as Sunny Edwards defeated Moruti Mthalane by unanimous choice (118-111, 120-108 and 115-113) to win the IBF flyweight world title. Mthalane (39-3, 26 KOs) had been unbeaten since 2008, whereas Edwards (16-0, 4 KOs) proved as much as the duty in his first world title outing.