Michael Conlan vs Jack Bateson: Who has the edge heading into their fight?

Michael Conlan could inch closer back to featherweight world title contention when he clashes with Jack Bateson at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.

After losing two straight bouts by TKO, Conlan (19-3, 9 KOs) avoided disaster by defeating Asad Asif Khan via points in March to get back into the win column.

The former two-time featherweight world title challenger hopes a convincing victory over Bateson (20-1-1, 6 KOs) propels him back into the championship mix. Bateson is coming off a draw with Danny Quartermaine in December, having previously won three straight bouts prior to that.

Will Conlan walk Bateson down and beat him soundly in a rousing victory? Or will Bateson’s technical style be enough to figure out the aggressive Irish fighter?

With the stakes high, DAZN News analyzes who has the edge between the fighters.

Boxing Styles

Behind rounded shoulders and a disciplined guard, Michael Conlan is going to press forward with the jab and work the head and body in an attempt to piece together combinations.

The veteran southpaw is also capable of switching stances and going orthodox within the flow of his fight game.

His style of pressure will be matched with a more technical style of Jack Bateson who can get gritty in the pocket when forced.

These two have shared the ring before via sparring roughly five years ago.

How Bateson responds off the back foot when Conlan walks him down and dictates the pace is imperative, especially early.

Edge: Conlan

Power

Neither Conlan nor Bateson are known for their power per se, though the Irish fighter counts three more knockouts to his ledger.

When Conlan drives up his aggression and power punches it is a gamble, however.

It could further paint his opponents in the corner or it could leave him vulnerable to pointed attacks.

That is a calculated risk that Conlan will have to assess in real time against a methodical Bateson. But Conlan has developed the kind of in-ring guile to assess.

Edge: Conlan

Mental Warfare

Conlan believes both he and Bateson will need to be on their A game Friday night.

During their press conference Wednesday, Bateson vowed that he is willing to fight through any kind of fire to have his hand raised in what would be an upset victory and Conlan acknowledges that hunger.

But the Irish fighter has got the experience edge in quality of opponents and the regaining of confidence following a rebounding win in March to get the nod here.

Edge: Conlan

Who has the edge in Conlan vs Bateson?

DAZN News has it 3-0 in favor of Conlan who has shared the ring with the likes of TJ Doheny, Leigh Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez to name a few.

Conlan, 33, has accrued plenty of ring savvy from those bouts and Bateson, although skilled himself, could be hard-pressed to resolve that style.

The Leeds, England man has the ring IQ, but will Conlan drown him out with volume? It is certainly possible.

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