\n<\/p>\n
Conlan, fighting in Dublin for the first time as a professional, exhibited some of the silky switch-hitting skills early on which were a feature of his former amateur bouts in the city 10 years previous.<\/p>\n
Still, Bateson appeared to have settled in the hostile surroundings, not getting drawn in and using his feet to stay mostly out of danger and although he took a flush right, the Leeds man landed with one of his own.<\/p>\n
It was a cagey second with Conlan seeking to draw a mistake from Bateson, crouching and shooting downstairs, but the visitor was disciplined and was not taking the early bait, his footwork making him difficult to pin down.<\/p>\n
However, Conlan made something of a breakthrough in the third as Bateson was forced to take a count when his gloves grazed the canvas. It seemed to stem more from a tangle of legs, but a short right hand also landed in the process.<\/p>\n
There was no disputing the knockdown in the fourth as Conlan’s crisp jab unlocked the door, opening a gap he exploited with a huge right hook that dropped Bateson heavily. Although the visitor managed to get to his feet, the fight was waved off.<\/p>\n
“It’s very special,” Conlan said of his emphatic win.<\/p>\n
“To come back to Dublin finally, after almost 10 years for my first pro fight here, I’m very proud. It’s a very special night.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n