This week, Conlan (20-3, 10 KOs) entered the ninth year of his quest to win a professional world title and acknowledges that he is at the stage of his career where a defeat will end his hopes.

Conlan knows what is at stake when he boxes the undefeated American Kevin Walsh (19-0, 10 KOs) this weekend at SSE Arena in his native Belfast, but the 34-year-old featherweight isn’t allowing pressure to weigh him down.

Conlan is determined to make the most of every day and has learned to appreciate and enjoy the sport that has brought him so much.

“I was trying to prove people wrong,” he told The Ring, recalling the early days of his professional career. “I remember after my debut, a few of them journalists online, especially because it was in America, it was in New York and I was signed to Top Rank, they were giving me s---. I’m going, 'F--- me. It's my first pro fight.'

“No matter if you're experienced, there’s an awful lot of pressure. Then you've sold out Madison Square Garden, you’ve got Conor McGregor with you. It's not always going to go swimmingly.”

That spectacular headlining debut in 2017 was just the start.

Conlan raced through the early stages of his career, bouncing from fight to fight. He boxed on Manny Pacquiao undercards, his annual St Patrick’s Day appearance quickly became a genuine event for New York’s Irish boxing fans, and he steadily worked his way through the world rankings.

Instead of making the most of the unique occasions and accumulating memories and experience, however, Conlan’s desire to please and impress meant that his focus was always on next rather than now.

“When I look back on it, when I was younger at the start of my career, I kind of let people's opinions – especially boxing media and stuff – get in my head a little bit. That probably was part of the reason I didn't really enjoy things, because it was just like, 'Right, I need to be better next one. Just focus, just keep moving on.'

“Not really taking time to stop and go, 'I just fought in the MSG the other day. We sold it out. I had McGregor walk me to the ring. It was an unbelievable atmosphere. I got the third round win like I told everybody. This is unbelievable.'

“I was just like, 'Next one, next one, next one, next one.'”

The next one is Friday’s crucial fight with the undefeated Walsh.

Conlan has begun talking about a fight with WBC featherweight champion Bruce Carrington, but securing a title shot isn’t at the forefront of his mind this weekend.

“I'm just relaxed,” he said. “I don't feel any pressure. It's just like, ‘Enjoy yourself. You're in this last stage of your career. Make sure you enjoy every moment of it.'”