
Kevin Walsh suggested the pressure of facing Michael Conlan will deliver 'diamonds' for his career in Belfast this evening.
The Massachusetts fighter will contest his first featherweight bout overseas from his native country at the SSE Arena.
Walsh arrives in the knowledge that Conlan, a former Olympic medalist and world title challenger, is the home favourite.
But as he prepares for what is the biggest bout of his pro journey so far, he believes he can handle expectations in style.
"There's just a little bit of pressure, but you know what they say about pressure makes diamonds," he said at the weigh-in.
"We're ready for war and that's it. We're ready, [so] let's go. It's going to be a war. I'm expecting the best Michael Conlan.
"But I'm also expecting it to be [his] last dance. After I win, it's just big things, world titles. I will be the new face of boxing.
"Featherweight division, I'm putting you on notice. I'm just taking it all in, embracing it. You know the deal. King Kev's here."
There was plenty of heat at Thursday's final ceremonies before Michael Conlan and Kevin Walsh step into the ring together.
For the former, this is a critical encounter that may well go some way to confirming if he still has title-challenger credentials.
But for the latter, it is a chance to stretch his wings and prove that he has earned his pathway towards the top of the summit.
The featherweight division is in rude health, and Walsh knows that he will need to be diamond-sharp to cut through the noise.
Win - and deliver that win in style - Belfast here, and his claims of a new face for the sport will be on the right track for sure.
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