Conlan's junior lightweight debut was not a disaster. There were moments in the fight where he landed some good shots on Gill's body. However, Conlan couldn't handle the power of Gill's punches when they connected cleanly. Every time Gill landed a solid punch, Conlan felt the impact. It's unfortunate because Conlan clearly had the heart and skill to succeed, but he lacked the ability to take the punishment. Not many fighters can.

Watching the final seconds of the bout, with Conlan being pummeled against the ropes by Gill, it's hard not to think that Conlan could have endured more punishment. However, the risk of serious damage is not worth it. Many fighters have suffered long-term consequences because a fight wasn't stopped quickly enough. The future for Conlan is uncertain now. With a record of 18-3, the 32-year-old has lost three of his last five fights by stoppage.

On the other hand, Gill's victory is a sweet moment for him. After being stopped in four rounds by Keiko Martinez in his previous fight, the 29-year-old needed a win just as much as Conlan did. People didn't expect him to win, but he proved them wrong. It's safe to say that Gill has ended the year on a high note after going through a dark period earlier this summer. "I was in a dark place," he said after the fight. "I drank a liter of vodka and I was going to end my life, but someone saved me."