Belfast featherweight boxer Michael Conlan says the “only reason” he is still boxing is to win a world title.
Conlan last fought in December 2023 when he suffered a knockout defeat to Jordan Gill.
The Northern Irishman's seventh-round stoppage at the hands of Gill came after world title defeats to Lee Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez.
After a year out of the ring where his career appeared to be over, the 33-year-old is targeting a return in 2025 as he looks to get back into world title contention.
“(Winning a world title) is the only reason I keep boxing, I still want to be world champion, I still think I have the ability to go and do it,” he told BBC Sport NI.
“This is the trial to get back into it.”
Conlan is aiming to fight a number of fights this year, starting with a bout in March, and believes he is ready to return to the ring after a long absence.
He added: “I will probably come back in March, in a comeback style fight, 8 to 10 rounds, complete that round and maybe fight three more times, so four times in total this year.”
“It's going to be busy which is what I needed after a nice break and now I'm getting back into it.”
The Olympic medalist says there have been “up and downs” during his year off in 2024, but the break has been extremely beneficial.
“It wasn't the best year of my life, there were things that happened, that's life, but it was also very nice to have some rest, and I think that made me feel good.”
“It's the longest break I've ever had in boxing. The body and mind have been rested, and now I'm hungry to get back and get the job done.”