Michael Conlan won the interim-WBA featherweight title after defeating former world champion TJ Doheny in Belfast on Friday.

The huge card was taking place as part of the Feile an Phobail festival at Falls Park, on the Conlan Boxing and Top Rank event.

Conlan (16-0, 8 KOs) and Doheny (22-3, 16 KOs) were involved in a tough twelve round battle, with the most action coming in round five, where Doheny was dropped with a body shot and mustered up a lot of heart to weather the storm that followed.

Doheny was able to recover as the fight went the distance. Conlan controlled the majority of the action and buzzed Doheny a few more times down the line. The judges scored it 119-108, 116-111, 116-111 in Conlan’s favor, earning him the victory on a big night in Belfast.

Conlan wants to secure a world title in the next twelve months.

He wants the winner of the upcoming WBC, WBO super bantamweight unification between Stephen Fulton and Brandon Figueroa - which takes place in September.

Although he failed to make weight for the fight with Doheny, Conlan is confident that he can still make the super bantamweight limit of 122-pounds. 

“I’m still looking to fight the winner of Stephen Fulton and Brandon Figueroa,” Conlan confirmed to the Belfast Telegraph.

“The 126 (featherweight belt) just came up but I can fluctuate between both. I’m a giant at both weights. I’m big at 126 but I’m even bigger at 122 so the opportunities are there in both decisions and I’m happy to take them.

“I won’t think what the plan is now. Jamie (Conlan, brother and manager) and Adam (Booth, trainer) are the bosses. I’m going to go away on a holiday next Thursday and enjoy life again.”