Leigh Wood vows to deliver KO performance against Michael Conlan
Leigh Wood Xu Can
Leigh Wood is making the first defence of his world title following a sensational win over Xu Can at Fight Camp last summer.
Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) stopped China's Xu Can in the 12th and final round to claim the WBA World Title in a huge upset at the top of the bill on the first week of Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex last July.
'Leigh-thal' created history by becoming only the second ever boxer from Nottingham to become a world champion - following in the footsteps of former IBF super middleweight ruler Carl Froch who was watching on from ringside.
Belfast's Conlan (16-0, 8 KOs) earned the interim WBA featherweight crown by defeating former world champion TJ Doheny on points over 12 rounds in an all-Irish clash as part of the Feile an Phobail festival at Falls Park last August.
Something special from myself March 12th, Nottingham come and be part of it! #Nottingham #AndStill pic.twitter.com/s6oQYOsUqU
— Leigh Wood (@itsLeighWood) January 7, 2022
One of Ireland's most successful ever amateurs, 30-year-old Conlan has remained undefeated since joining the pro ranks in March 2017 following his controversial exit from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, picking up the WBA and WBO Intercontinental titles along the way."I visualise getting him out of there," said Wood.
"Mick is a good fighter but I will be too much for him. When things aren't going right I haven't got a quit in me and I'm extremely confident of getting the win and looking good doing it.
"I'm a lot bigger and a more seasoned featherweight. I like to show a lot of grit and resilience. I've taken a hard route to get where I am today. I don't want to get to this level then have to climb back up again."
"Leigh believes in his own power more than he probably should, that will be the unravelling of him," said Conlan.
