Promoter Kalle Sauerland ’embarrassed for the sport’ after Mick Conlan upset defeat

Kalle Sauerland was far from impressed with what he saw following Michael Conlan‘s defeat to Kevin Walsh.

Conlan suffered a split decision loss to Walsh at the SSE Arena in Belfast, despite many onlookers – notably the broadcast team of Tony Bellew, Carl Frampton and Barry Jones – believing that the Irishman had done enough to win the bout.

It was an uneventful contest which saw neither boxer get into a rhythm, but despite one judge scoring it 97-93 in Conlan’s favour, the other two judges scored it 96-94 to Walsh to hand the American a controversial upset win.

The fight headlined the first MFPro event, and promoter Sauerland spoke on the DAZN broadcast following the verdict, saying that he was ’embarrassed’ for the sport after Conlan didn’t get his hand raised.

“It’s times like this when you promote an event and you don’t know what to say. I’m embarrassed for the sport of boxing. I got in the ring and Mick said ‘how many rounds you reckon?’ I didn’t even count after round six, seven.

“Mick maybe gave up the first two, you could maybe give Walsh two more rounds in the entire fight, that’s me being kind. What on earth. It was a cagey fight yes, but it’s just incredible.

“It baffles me what on earth they’re watching. The swing of it between the one judge and the others. I’m lost for words. It’s embarrassing.”

Sauerland also confirmed that there is a rematch clause, but he sees no reason to activate it.

“You look at Conlan – he’s gone through a camp, he’s preparing for a world title shot, and you get two blind people scoring the fight. That’s all you can say. You cannot make it up.

“I don’t blame him for being [upset]. We’ve got a rematch option but quite [frankly] I don’t want to see the fight again. It was a very clear decision – what’s the rematch for?”

It’s currently unknown what is next for Conlan after the loss, with a decision on his future expected soon.