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Leigh Wood

Leigh Wood faces Mauricio Lara in Nottingham on Feb. 18

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Leigh Wood faces Mauricio Lara in Nottingham on Feb. 18 | Boxen247.com

Leigh Wood faces Mauricio Lara in Nottingham on Feb. 18 | Boxen247.com

Matchroom Boxing’s 2023 schedule in the UK is set to begin with a bang at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Saturday February 18 as hometown hero Leigh Wood puts his WBA Featherweight World Title on the line against big-punching Mexican Mauricio Lara, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand).

‘Leigh-thal’ (26-2 KOs) memorably stopped Michael Conlan in the 12th and final round of his epic first defence of the WBA 126lbs title back in March 2022, knocking the Irishman out of the ring in brutal fashion to end their Fight of the Year stunner.

The Forest-mad Featherweight was heavily dropped in the opening round and looked to be heading towards his third loss in the pros before brilliantly fighting back to earn a brilliant win that will be talked about for many years to come.

Wood is now recognised as the World Boxing Associations only Champion at Featherweight after former ‘Super Champion’ Leo Santa Cruz relinquished his title on Monday December 12, and the 34-year-old wants to waste no time in adding more World Titles to his collection in 2023.

‘Bronco’ (25-2-1, 18 KOs) has been waiting patiently for his shot at Wood after their eagerly anticipated September 24 fight was postponed following a torn bicep suffered by Wood in sparring, but the Featherweight KO artist finally gets his dream World Title opportunity next month.

Lara is well-known on UK shores after he floored and ruthlessly finished Josh Warrington in a sensational upset behind closed doors at The SSE Arena, Wembley in February 2021, ending the IBF Featherweight World Champion’s unbeaten record.

He rematched Warrington in front of a sold-out Headingley Stadium in Leeds seven months later, but a nasty cut over the left eye of the Mexican in round two caused by an accidental clash of heads resulted in the contest ending in a technical draw.

The power-punching 24-year-old blitzed Emilio Sanchez in three rounds in March 2022 on the undercard of Roman Gonzalez vs. Julio Cesar Martinez before stopping Jose Sanmartin in three in another destructive show of brute force to put the 126lbs division on notice.

“Mauricio Lara has made things personal between us with the disrespect he showed me regarding my injury and my country,” said Wood. “I’m going to show him what I’m all about. See you on February 18 Nottingham – And Still!”

“I have been waiting for this opportunity for 2 years and I am not going to waste it,” said Lara. “In February 2021 I beat Warrington in England, now in 2023 I will do the same with Wood. The WBA 126lbs World Title goes to Mexico, that I promised to my daughter, my family, my team and to my whole country. Your time has come Leigh Wood, no “injury” can save you now from this.”

“Quite simply this is a fight that you have to watch through your fingers,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “After the drama of the Conlan fight last March, Leigh Wood is about to bring another night of drama to the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham against the brutal, fearless and much avoided Mauricio Lara. This fight leads Leigh to the City Ground in the summer but first get ready for an epic main event and all action card as we gear up for another FOTY contender in Nottingham on February 18.”

“What a fight this is to kick off the Matchroom UK schedule in 2023,” said Joe Markowski, CEO DAZN North America. “Both Wood and Lara are incapable of being involved in anything other than brutal, toe to toe, edge of your seat fights and I for one cannot wait for February 18. Watch this barnstormer live and exclusive on DAZN.”

Tickets for Wood vs. Lara are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £300 (VIP)

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from midday on Wednesday January 11. Priority ticket info will be emailed directly to eligible members ahead of the on-sale time.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and Motorpoint Arena Nottingham from midday on Thursday January 12.

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IBO champ Jazza Dickens vents after title win – slams Lee Wood

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IBO champ Jazza Dickens vents after title win - slams Lee Wood | Boxen247.com

IBO champ Jazza Dickens vents after title win - slams Lee Wood | Boxen247.com

New IBO world featherweight champion Jazza Dickens has issued a withering put down to Leigh Wood, telling him: “You’re conning the public”.

Dickens won the vacant IBO strap at Probellum Liverpool II on Saturday night, out-pointing South Africa’s Lerato Dlamini after 12 hard rounds.

The popular Liverpool fighter, 31, now wants to unify his IBO title with Wood’s WBA regular belt in a major all-British world title showdown.

Dickens, who has beaten Wood as both an amateur and professional, doubts the Nottingham man is mentally strong enough to accept a third fight between the pair but has urged his rival to “put up or shut up” having not fought since March.

“Three months ago, I went back to Ireland to start training for Leigh Wood, but we didn’t hear back, and I found out through social media that he was fighting someone else,” Dickens revealed to Probellum.com.

“He doesn’t want to fight me! I know he doesn’t want to fight me, and I knew he didn’t want to fight me in 2020 but he had to because it was a tournament. In terms of mentality, I knew I had him then and I’ve still got him now.

“He’s supposedly taking these big fights, but he’s not, he’s conning the public, he’s saying that he’s going to fight Lara, and then pulling out, he’s saying he is going to fight Santa Cruz, and then pulling out.

“Put up or shut up. Stop telling people you’re doing this and doing that because you’re not. He won the world title, so give him his props.   I was proud of him that night, he did really well, but he’s blagging it right now. If he wants to come here, to Liverpool, and try and blag it, he won’t get away with it.”

Dickens had twice before failed in world title attempts but on an emotional night, in front of his home fans, he got the better of the dangerous Dlamini, to win via a unanimous decision with the ringside judges.

And no sooner was the IBO belt fitted around his waist, then Jazza set his sights on Wood.

“We’ve got history, we’ve fought twice before and that seems to be the common-sense fight to make,” he said.

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Thomas Patrick Ward lands WBA title eliminator

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Thomas Patrick Ward lands WBA title eliminator | Boxen247.com

Thomas Patrick Ward lands WBA title eliminator | Boxen247.com

Thomas Patrick Ward has put the world featherweight champions on notice after his final eliminator was announced.

The WBA’s No1 contender has been ordered to face Uzbekistan’s Otabek Kholmatov to decide on who is next in line to fight for the world crown.

Leo Santa Cruz and Leigh Wood have been ordered to fight, to determine one champion in the weight class, and the winner would face Probellum’s Ward or No.2 ranked Kholmatov.

Ward (33-0-1) has waited patiently for clarity from the WBA and plans on backing up his claims to be best boxer in the 126lbs division, by securing his world title shot with a victory over the 10-0 Kholmatov.

“I’ve never had anything easy in my career, so I knew that getting a straight shot at the world title was probably never going to happen,” Ward told Probellum.com.

“But this is a final eliminator, so I know that when I win, I am next in the line for a shot at the world champion.  Everything is now moving in the right direction.”

Ward added: “I don’t know very much about Kholmatov, but traditionally the Uzbek fighters are very well schooled, so I am already prepared for that, but I believe I am the best featherweight in the world.  I want to challenge all the champions in the world.

“It’s great that Santa Cruz and Wood are fighting and the whole WBA world title situation is moving forward.”

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Mauricio Lara: We will see if the injury is real or a lie

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Mauricio Lara: We will see if the injury is real or a lie | Boxen247.com

Mauricio Lara: We will see if the injury is real or a lie | Boxen247.com

In Mauricio Lara’s team they only know that Leigh Wood suffered an injury and had to postpone his fight, originally scheduled for September 24th, but nobody has provided any evidence or a time frame for when the fight could be rescheduled.

Alejandro Brito, Operations Director for Bxstrs Promotions, which handles Lara’s career, reveals that they were not provided with details about the injury in Wood’s biceps, which put on hold a fight for Wood’s WBA featherweight title.

“They didn’t tell us anything”, Brito told IZQUIERDAZO. “They just told us that he (Leigh Wood) is injured, and that they would give us a call later to offer details. But we haven’t received that call yet. They haven’t told us anything, and we just want to know how much time (Wood will need for his recovery). They just told us that he (Wood) is injured, and we have to play by those rules, and we have to believe in what they said. But the thing is that Lara will not fight (on September 24th)”.

Brito says that they know the exact magnitude of Leigh Wood’s injury and that would define the time frame to reschedule the fight.

“They told us it was (Wood’s) biceps”, Brito explained. “But we don’t know if it is just a stretch or a tear in his biceps. If it’s a full rupture, he would be out for six months; but if it’s just a tear there would be a possibility (for the fight to be done) around the year’s end”.

Brito is in Las Vegas, where he hopes to speak to Eddie Hearn or Matchroom’s executives about the fight.

“Matchroom didn’t give us a pronunciation”, Brito said. “We are waiting for them to give us a confirmation. I wish we could have a little talk with them here (in Las Vegas), and know what is the plan, or the time frame. Something that I can tell Lara, for him to calm down”.

Alejandro Brito wants to believe that the injury is real and it is not an excuse from Leigh Wood’s side to just run away from the fight.

“I believe, and we believe in their honesty”, Brito explained. “Because we know that he (Wood) was not going to say ‘I don’t want to fight’. If such was the case, they would have said that since the beginning, that there was a risk or that they didn’t want to face the danger because (Lara) is very strong. But the contracts are signed. He (Wood) has no option (but to fight Lara). When Wood is recovered, he has no escape. He has to fight. We are in that dramatic pause, in which, as a manager, I have to tell my fighter to wait, to be patient. But I don’t know what to tell him, because the other side has not shown their face yet. We don’t know if Wood will be back in three, four, or six months”.

Mauricio Lara shares Brito’s disappointment about the postponement of the fight, his first world title opportunity, long awaited, since he knocked out Josh Warrington in a surprising fashion on February 13th, 2021.

The rematch with Warrington ended in a technical draw after an accidental head clash in just two rounds. But instead of a third fight to have a resolution in that rivalry, Warrington got an opportunity to fight for Kiko Martinez’ IBF featherweight title and won by a TKO.

Lara had to wait, and finally got his shot for Leigh Wood’s WBA world title. But now, with Wood’s injury, he has to wait again.

“To tell you the truth, I felt disappointed”, Lara told IZQUIERDAZO. “There are situations that just don’t happen. Maybe it is not my moment. Things happen. But we know that everything happens for a reason”.

Lara is trying to figure out how to deal with the postponement, both mentally and emotionally.

“Mentally, its a blow that we know how to assimilate”, Lara said. “But emotionally it is hard. (The cancellation) just 10 days before the fight is something that hurts. We completed a three months of work. But those are things that happen in boxing”.

Mauricio Lara says that he was not provided with any evidence of Wood’s injury.

“I didn’t see anything, he didn’t post anything on social media”, Lara pointed out. “Like when I fought with Warrington, when he posted that he was in the hospital. I trust in (Wood’s) honesty. We will see what happens. I trust in his honesty, and I wish him a quick recovery. I hope the fight is still in place. I hope he has the courage of a champion, the determination to prove himself. And we will know then if the injury was real or it was a lie”.

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Injury rules out Wood vs. Lara but September 24 show goes ahead

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Injury rules out Wood vs. Lara but September 24 show goes ahead | Boxen247.com

Injury rules out Wood vs. Lara but September 24 show goes ahead | Boxen247.com

A torn bicep suffered in sparring has ruled Leigh Wood out of his WBA Featherweight World Title defence against Mexico’s Mauricio Lara at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Saturday September 24.

The show will go ahead, with Rossington’s Maxi Hughes defending his IBO Lightweight World Title against Sheffield’s former IBF Featherweight World Champion Kid Galahad in a huge Yorkshire derby at the top of the bill, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand).

‘Maximus’ (25-2-2, 5 KOs), who is undefeated since November 2019, landed the IBO crown with a shutout points win over dangerous Mexican Jovanni Straffon in September last year before making a successful first defence against Ryan Walsh in March.

Galahad (28-2, 17 KOs) will be looking to return to winning ways up at Lightweight after suffering a shock knockout loss to Spanish veteran Kiko Martinez in what was supposed to be a routine maiden defence of his IBF title at the Sheffield Arena in November 2021.

On a stacked undercard, Denaby Main’s Terri Harper (12-1-1, 6 KOs) leaps up in weight to challenge Scotland’s Hannah Rankin (12-5, 3 KOs) for her IBO and WBA Super-Welterweight World Titles in an intriguing England vs. Scotland clash.

Former IBO and WBC Super-Featherweight World Champion Harper lost her titles at the hands of the USA’s Alycia Baumgardner on the undercard of Galahad vs. Martinez last year before landing the WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Title against Yamila Belen Abellaneda in March.

Rankin captured gold by decisioning Maria Lindberg over 10 rounds at the Tottenham Hotspur FC Banqueting Hall in November 2021 before defending her belts against Mexico’s Alejandra Ayala at The SSE Hydro, Glasgow in May.

Birmingham Heavyweight prospect Solomon Dacres (4-0, 1 KO) meets Dominic Akinlade (9-3-1, 4 KOs) over ten rounds, former Team GB Olympian Cheavon Clarke (2-0, 2 KOs) looks to maintain his perfect start to life in the Cruiserweight division against Argentina’s Marcos Nicolas Karalitzky (7-5-2, 2 KOs), Alnwick Welterweight talent Cyrus Pattinson (4-0, 2 KOs) has his fifth fight in the paid ranks, new Matchroom Super-Welterweight signing Junaid Bostan (2-0, 2 KOs) aims to make it three knockouts from three fights, Mansfield Super-Bantamweight prospect Nico Leivars (2-0-1) returns to action after his technical draw in Sheffield and Wigan Lightweight Rhiannon Dixon (5-0) fights for the first time under the STN Sports banner.

“We’re gutted to lose such an explosive headliner in Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara so close to fight week but unfortunately Leigh suffered a torn bicep during sparring and there’s no way he can get in the ring against such a dangerous opponent with only one arm,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “I’m pleased to confirm that our show at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on September 24 will go ahead with the IBO Lightweight World Title clash between Yorkshire rivals Maxi Hughes and Kid Galahad now topping the bill.

“There’s more World Title action on the undercard with Hannah Rankin defending her WBA and IBO Super-Welterweight belts against former Super-Featherweight World Champion Terri Harper. Both Hughes vs. Galahad and Rankin vs. Harper are worthy of headlining their own shows and we’ve got some of the best emerging talent featuring on the undercard such as Cyrus Pattinson and Junaid Bostan.”

Ticket refunds are available from the point of purchase until Tuesday September 20.

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Wood defends Featherweight crown against Lara on Sept. 24

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Wood defends Featherweight crown against Lara on Sept. 24 | Boxen247.com

Wood defends Featherweight crown against Lara on Sept. 24 | Boxen247.com

Leigh Wood will defend his WBA Featherweight World Title against Mauricio Lara at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Saturday September 24, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand).

Wood (26-2, 16 KOs) memorably stopped Michael Conlan in the 12th and final round of his epic first defence of the WBA 126lbs title back in March, knocking the Irishman out of the ring in brutal fashion to end their Fight of the Year battle.

‘Leigh-thal’ was heavily dropped in the opening round and looked to be heading towards his third loss in the pros before brilliantly fighting back to earn a stunning win that will be talked about for many years to come.

After a fight with WBA ‘Super’ Champion Leo Santa Cruz failed to transpire, in an incredibly gutsy move, Wood has chosen to prove himself against one of the most feared knockout artists in world boxing.

Lara (24-2-1, 17 KOs) floored and ruthlessly finished Josh Warrington in a sensational upset behind closed doors at The SSE Arena, Wembley in February 2021, ending the IBF Featherweight World Champion’s unbeaten record

‘Bronco’ rematched Warrington in front of a sold-out Headingley Stadium in Leeds seven months later, but a nasty cut over the left eye of the Mexican in round two caused by an accidental clash of heads resulted in the contest ending in a technical draw.

The power-punching 24-year-old blitzed Emilio Sanchez in three rounds earlier this year on the undercard of Roman Gonzalez vs. Julio Cesar Martinez in another destructive show of brute force to put the 126lbs division on notice.

Rossington’s IBO Lightweight title holder Maxi Hughes (25-5-2, 5 KOs) aims to continue his incredible run of form when he takes on Sheffield’s former IBF Featherweight World Champion Kid Galahad (28-2, 17 KOs) in a Yorkshire derby.

‘Maximus’, who is undefeated since November 2019, landed the IBO crown with a shutout points win over dangerous Mexican Jovanni Straffon in September last year before making a successful first defence against Ryan Walsh in March.

Galahad will be looking to return to winning ways up at Lightweight after suffering a shock knockout loss to Spanish veteran Kiko Martinez in what was supposed to be a routine maiden defence of his IBF title at the Sheffield Arena in November 2021.

Denaby Main’s Terri Harper (12-1-1, 6 KOs) leaps up in weight to challenge Scotland’s Hannah Rankin (12-5, 3 KOs) for her IBO and WBA Super-Welterweight World Titles in an intriguing England vs. Scotland clash.

Former IBO and WBC Super-Featherweight World Champion Harper lost her titles at the hands of the USA’s Alycia Baumgardner on the undercard of Galahad vs. Martinez last year before landing the WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Title against Yamila Belen Abellaneda in March.

Rankin captured gold by decisioning Maria Lindberg over 10 rounds at the Tottenham Hotspur FC Banqueting Hall in November 2021 before defending her belts against Mexico’s Alejandra Ayala at The SSE Hydro, Glasgow in May.

“I maybe have a handful of fights left and I want them to be my biggest,” said Wood. “I want to be tested. I’m filling arenas now and I want to keep that momentum going. Every fight should be a step forward, not backwards. Mauricio Lara is dangerous but high risk high reward, I’m confident I can do what Josh Warrington couldn’t do and get the job done.”

“I’m very excited,” said Lara. “This is the opportunity that I have worked so hard for and I am not going to miss it. I am aware that Leigh Wood is a great fighter, but no one is going to take away the possibility of me becoming a World Champion. I’m going to England for the third time and it’s like I’m fighting at home.”

“This is an unbelievable fight and Leigh Wood has massive cojones for stepping up to the plate again in Nottingham,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “Last time out he gave us one of the most dramatic fights for many years and fans can expect all the drama again on September 24. It’s a huge card with Terri Harper stepping up the divisions attempting to become a two division champion against Hannah Rankin and a brilliant Yorkshire derby for the IBO title between Maxi Hughes and Kid Galahad with lots more to be announced. Expect another incredible atmosphere at the Nottingham Arena on September 24.”

“This is an all-action card from top to bottom and a great way to kick off our UK autumn schedule,” said Joe Markowski, EVP at DAZN Group. “Wood vs. Lara will be an absolute humdinger of a fight and in Hughes vs. Galahad and Rankin vs. Harper we have two fights that are worthy of headlining shows by themselves. Do not miss this fight night! Live and exclusive, on DAZN.”

Tickets for Wood vs. Lara are priced at £40, £60, £100, £150 and £250 (VIP)

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from midday on Thursday August 25. Priority ticket info will be emailed directly to eligible members ahead of the on sale time.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and Motorpoint Arena Nottingham from midday on Friday August 26.

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Ward awaits WBA move as Santa Cruz requests Vargas fight

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Ward awaits WBA move as Santa Cruz requests Vargas fight | Boxen247.com

Ward awaits WBA move as Santa Cruz requests Vargas fight | Boxen247.com

Number one contender Thomas Patrick Ward will be keeping a close eye on the WBA world title situation with reports claiming Leigh Wood may miss out on a clash with Leo Santa Cruz.

The WBA had ordered their ‘Super’ featherweight title holder, Santa Cruz, to face the ‘regular’ champion Wood.

But it is now claimed that Santa Cruz may try and pursue a featherweight unification clash with fellow Mexican Rey Vargas, who picked up the WBC belt at the weekend.

Wood’s promoter Eddie Hearn told the DAZN Boxing Show he expects Santa Cruz to “request” the WBA allow him to have a unification fight with Vargas, instead of facing Wood.

Should the WBA grant any such request, it would leave Wood looking for an opponent and with Ward itching for his long overdue shot at a world title, he could put himself in the frame.

The unbeaten Ward keeps active this weekend, when he headlines a Phil Jeffries promotion at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, facing Nasoro Madimba.

Ward, who has been the No1 contender at 126lbs with the WBA since March, said it was “outrageous” that Santa Cruz had not defended his ‘Super’ title since 2019.

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Jazza Dickens turns up the heat on world champion Leigh Wood

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Jazza Dickens turns up the heat on world champion Leigh Wood | Boxen247.com

Jazza Dickens turns up the heat on world champion Leigh Wood | Boxen247.com

Featherweight contender Jazza Dickens has told world champion Leigh Wood he is running out of options for his next title defence.

The Liverpool puncher has reminded the WBA title holder he is ready and waiting to challenge him and that a fight between the pair would be “easy to make”.

Wood will not rematch Michael Conlan next and there has been no further update from the WBA since their 30-day deadline for the Nottingham man to negotiate a fight with Leo Santa Cruz, has passed.

Dickens delivered a statement of intent last month when he stopped former European champion Andoni Gago inside five rounds at Probellum Liverpool and the 31-year-old has continued to turn the heat up on Wood.

“I’m ready for Leigh Wood, that’s the fight I want,” Dickens told British Boxing TV.

“Leigh Wood or Josh Warrington, they are not hard fights to make, and they are looking for opponents.

“Michael Conlan said in an interview that he was fighting someone else next and wasn’t going to be fighting Leigh Wood, so that’s not happening.

“If you had seen the fight between me and Leigh Wood then you know people would be happy to make that fight.  It would be a fantastic fight.”Dickens defeated Wood on points after 10 rounds in February 2020 and is confident of the same outcome – if the WBA champ accepts his offer.

“The only reason you should get a shot at a world title is if you’re good enough and I know I’m good enough because I’ve beaten the current world champion and I believe I’ll beat him again,” Dickens said.

“I beat him twice, once before that [the win in 2020] in the amateur days too”.

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Reece Mould inspired by old rival Leigh Wood’s World title heroics

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Reece Mould inspired by old rival Leigh Wood’s World title heroics | Boxen247.com

Reece Mould inspired by old rival Leigh Wood’s World title heroics | Boxen247.comBoxen247.com YouTube Channel

Reece Mould vs. Patrick Okine

Winter Gardens, Blackpool, England – 8 April 2022

REECE MOULD has been inspired by old rival Leigh Wood’s World title heroics.

Mould (14-1, 6 KOs) is looking to illuminate Blackpool when he boxes in the seaside town on Friday (April 8) over eight rounds.

His headline fight is part of “An Evening with Ricky Hatton” in aid of prostate cancer that VIP Boxing are staging at the world famous Winter Gardens.

Reece was pushing Wood hard in a close British Featherweight title fight last February, before losing in the ninth round.

Five months later, Wood ripped the WBA championship from Can Xu and last month knocked out Michael Conlan in one of the greatest fights ever seen in a British ring.

Mould, 27, said: “I challenged Leigh in my 14th professional fight and I’ve not lost anything from that.

“I know that was a blemish on my record, but it just shows what I did in the fight because he is now a World champion, and a good one.

“Going into that ninth round I was two rounds up even with being knocked down in the fourth round.

“What Leigh has gone on and achieved has helped me a lot and I know how well I did that night. I did a lot better than most thought I would do.

“If I win the Commonwealth title people will wonder if I’m going to get a rematch, but he has moved on to bigger and better things.

“He is looking at big money fights like Josh Warrington in a unification or a Conlan rematch. He will be done by the time I get up there.”

Mould had hoped to box a Commonwealth Super-Featherweight title eliminator in Blackpool. He had been matched against Ghana’s Patrick Okine, but the British Boxing Board of Control have currently suspended boxers from the African nation.

The Commonwealth championship is currently held by Mould’s VIP stablemate Zelfa Barrett, but he recently won a World title eliminator and has a European championship fight lined up.

Reece who expects the Manchester man to relinquish his Commonwealth title has been sparring with Warrington and Maxi Hughes.

Mould added: “It’s disappointing, but I think Steve Wood will make sure I’m in place to fight for the Commonwealth title in the near future. He has promised me a big fight very soon.

“Seeing Josh and Maxi do so well helps me. And, when you see the size of the purse bids for Leigh against Conlan it drives me on even more.

“If I can win the Commonwealth title soon before you know it there’s the British and it could fall in place for me like it did for Josh and Maxi.”

VIP Boxing head Steve Wood added: “Leigh Wood’s performances in his subsequent fights show just how well Reece did with so few fights. With more experience, who knows what might have happened.

“We are all gutted that the Commonwealth eliminator fell apart, but once Reece gets Friday’s fight out of the way we will push him towards a big fight.”

Also on the bill, Super-Lightweights Jake Abrol (1-0, 1 KO), Tyrone Bowen-Price (2-0, 1 KO) and Super-Welterweight Owen Kirk (2-0) are all in four round action. A late addition is exciting Liverpool talent Brandan Daord (6-0, 3 KOs).

All dinner table tickets are sold, but boxing only tickets are still available for £40 each. Tickets available from vipboxing.co.uk or 01942 874241.

Reece Mould inspired by old rival Leigh Wood’s World title heroics | Boxen247.com

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Leigh Wood comes from behind to stop Michael Conlan in Nottingham

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Leigh Wood comes from behind to stop Michael Conlan in Nottingham | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)
Picture: Mark Robinson Photography/Matchroom

Leigh Wood comes from behind to stop Michael Conlan in Nottingham | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Boxen247.com YouTube Channel

Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan Result

Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England – 12 March 2022

Leigh Wood retained his WBA featherweight title after a final round stoppage win over Michael Conlan on Saturday.

The fight main evented a Matchroom Boxing show which took place at a sold out Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, and was broadcast live on DAZN.

The fight got off to an incredible start, as Conlan (16-1, 8 KOs) knocked down Wood with a huge shot at the end of round one. Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) dug in deep and displayed immense bravery, getting up and having some success of his own as the bout progressed.

Wood claimed a knockdown of his own in round 11, but the view was that Conlan was still ahead on the cards. Wood then ensured it wouldn’t go to the judges, knocking out Conlan in the 12th and final round to earn the win.

Conlan received medical treatment following the bout, and has received well wishes from throughout the boxing community who wish him a speedy recovery.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said the Belfast fighter was “conscious and talking” and awaiting the result of a CT scan at the time of writing.

Elsewhere on the card, Gary Cully (14-0, 8 KOs) picked up the biggest win of his career as he claimed a fifth round stoppage win over Miguel Vazquez (44-11, 17 KOs).

Cully dropped Vazquez in the third, and while the Mexican showed great heart and courage to continue, another big combination from Cully in round five was enough to end the contest, handing the Irishman a massive win.

Nico Leivars also entered the paid ranks in style, as he successfully won his professional debut against Jose Hernandez. Leivars (1-0) dropped Hernandez in round four, on his way to a comfortable 40-34 points win.

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Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan – Fight card weights from Nottingham

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Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan

Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England – 12 March 2022

17:30 GMT LIVE ON BEFORE THE BELL

6 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight contest
THOMAS WHITTAKER HART 12st 10lbs 2oz v BEN THOMAS 12st 8lbs 9oz
(Liverpool, England)                                             (Bolton, England)

followed by

6 x 3 mins International Heavyweight contest
THOMAS CARTY 17st 5lbs 4oz v MICHAL BOLOZ 16st 8lbs 4oz
(Dublin, Ireland)                             (Nowy Sacz, Poland)

followed by

4 x 3 mins International Bantamweight contest
NICO LEIVARS 8st 8lbs 1oz v JOSE HERNANDEZ 8st 9lbs 5oz
(Mansfield, England)               (La Concepcion, Nicaragua)

followed by

19:00 GMT LIVE ON DAZN

10 x 2 mins International Super-Lightweight contest
SANDY RYAN 10st 4lbs 8oz v ERICA ANABELLA FARIAS 10st 1lbs 1oz
(Derby, England)                       (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

followed by

10 x 3 mins International Lightweight contest
GARY CULLY 9st 8lbs 6oz v MIGUEL VAZQUEZ 9st 8lbs 1oz
(Naas, Ireland)                        (Guadalajara, Mexico)

 followed by

10 x 3 mins vacant WBA Intercontinental Lightweight Title
TERRI HARPER 9st 7lbs 4oz v YAMILA BELEN ABELLANEDA 9st 8lbs 3oz
(Denaby Main, England)            (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

 followed by

10 x 3 mins WBA International Middleweight Title
CAOIMHIN AGYARKO 11st 5lbs 3oz v JUAN CARLOS RUBIO 11st 5lbs 5oz
(Belfast, Northern Ireland)                     (Zapopan, Mexico)

followed by

12 x 3 mins WBA Featherweight World Title
LEIGH WOOD 8st 13lbs 8oz v MICHAEL CONLAN 8st 12lbs 6oz
(Nottingham, England)             (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

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Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan – Press conference quotes

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with Eddie Hearn

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Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan

Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England – 12 March 2022

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“As I’ve said before, almost ten years since Carl Froch’s historic victory in Nottingham Arena, we’ve been looking to bring a mega-fight back to this city for some time. 10,000 sell-out on Saturday and the atmosphere is going to be incredible, 3000-4000 Irish also in attendance for what will be a tremendous match-up.

“This Saturday we have a solid undercard, so many great fights, great fighters, great prospects. People returning to the World Championship scene, people looking to make their mark in the world rankings.

“Just under 10,000 people in a sold-out arena will see a great fight with an incredible atmosphere. Huge support from the city of Nottingham and a huge number of Irish fans coming to see if Michael Conlan can become World Champion.”

Leigh Wood:

“I’m buzzing to be here, it’s been a long hard road to get here, back in 2014 that was a terrible night. I knew the reasons behind it, and I went away and corrected it. Same with both of the defeats I’ve suffered, I went away, changed my team and improved as a fighter. I stayed disciplined, lived the life and that’s why I’m bringing this big night back to Nottingham, I couldn’t be happier.

“I couldn’t be happier with my camp, my team, everything is on point. As Mick said, I’ve got the best version of him and he’s got the best version of me, there’s no excuses after the fight the best man will win.

“We rocked up at fight camp and people were basically saying good luck, thanks for turning up, we were taken aback and didn’t know what to say to them. I said in interviews I was going to win the fight, confidence has never been an issue with me, I’ve been confident when most kids didn’t have anything to smile about, I’ve been confident in the gym without fights and through injuries and defeats. I was confident in my ability and that I’d get there, now I’m here.

“This is fairy-tale sh*t, honestly, of all the arenas for Carl I was at in the seats screaming, I’m now headlining in the same arena. This isn’t the peak or where I stop, I’m going to go further than this. The city ground fight that you’ve tangled in front of me for so long, you [Eddie] said after this fight it’s happening, so I’ll hold you to that but eyes on Saturday night first. I’m coming to get the job done and look good doing it.”

Ben Davison:

“I’m over the moon with the training camp that Leigh’s had, preparation doesn’t stop until the first bell but we’re ready and very confident. Leigh knows exactly what he needs to do and it’s just a case of getting in there and doing it now.

“I think it’s just very easy for people to go ‘Mick on points’ or ‘Leigh by stoppage’, that’s the outcome people can see but as I said before I think Mick punches harder than people think and Leigh boxes better than what people think he does. People said the same thing when Leigh was boxing Can Xu, he can only win by knockout, not only did he nearly beat him quite widely by points, but he beat him in the twelfth round.

“I don’t believe that this is the two possible outcomes of the fight, I think both guys are very versatile and potentially momentum shifts throughout the fight and adjustments will have to made by both. It’s a fantastic fight and that’s why we’ve got a sold-out arena.

“I highly expect Leigh to thrive under this situation, I don’t think there’s any problems, Leigh’s one of the calmest fighters I’ve worked with in the changing room preparing for a fight. It’s just a case of getting in there and doing what he needs to do now.”

Michael Conlan:

“I’m ready to go, my confidence comes from preparation and my preparation has been fantastic. I’m very confident and very relaxed, we’re here in Nottingham and it’s time to go, there’s not much more to say other than I really can’t wait for Saturday night.

“I know what kind of performance is coming on Saturday night, this is the most relaxed and calm I’ve ever been in a fight week. I don’t feel any pressure, I’m here in the opponents back garden and I’ve got to rip the belt off him. Everyone’s here to see him, I’ve got fans coming in the thousands already so it’s nothing new.

“I’m just here to do a job, I hope Leigh has had a fantastic training camp, I hope he’s the best Leigh Wood there’s ever been because I believe I will be. It’ll make it all the sweeter when I beat him.

“I’m just expecting a fantastic performance by myself.”

Jamie Conlan:

“We came here six weeks ago full of confidence, we’ve come here today even more confident. Confident in the preparation that was put in over the last eight week, confident in the mindset that he’s brought into this fight and the mental attitude that he’s put into the camp and the challenges he’s faced in camp. We’ve come here to upset the applecart and spoil your boy’s party – send the Irish home happy.

“I fully expect Michael to become World Champion on Saturday. Regarding favourites and underdogs, we have no real thought on that. We’ve come in as the B side fighter and underdog mentality but we’re fully confident we’ll become world champion. I truly believe this is his destiny, Leigh Wood is just an obstacle in his way that we must overcome. This is Michael Conlan’s party, this is the one he’s coming to take home, and this is the one that the fans will be able to sing about and tell each other about in bars for years to come.

“I think that’s something that Leigh’s going to have to deal with, the mental stress he’s going to be under, I saw it last night when he was doing his workout. There’s going to mental pressure on him more so than on Michael, Michael has dealt with mental pressure throughout his career. He was thrown into the spotlight from day one, Leigh has done it when no one was watching, he won the world title in front of 25 people in your [Eddie] back garden.

“This is the big time, this is going to be where everyone is pressuring him on, expecting him to win – in his hometown as the favourite. In our hometown we’re the favourite, so the fans coming over are fully expecting Michael to win, fully expecting to be joyous on Saturday and going home with a new World Champion. As a family we’re just ready, we’ve been waiting for this for a long time, destiny is in front of us and Leigh is just another object in the way.”

Caoimhin Agyarko:“I want to thank you [Eddie] for getting me on this card, especially straight after Christmas. It’s the opportunities I feel like I deserve, and I’ve been working hard, it’s a great card to be on and it’s going to be a very noisy night on Saturday. I can’t wait to just get in there and put on a good performance.

“We hoped to get the Hassan N’Dam fight, former World Champion, but he’s got a good record and I expect a tough fight Saturday night. I’ve prepared well and I’ve been sparring great, everything’s went to plan in camp, and I have no complaints. I just can’t wait to get in there and put on a good performance, I feel like you’re going to see a different side to my game on Saturday – Rubio being a southpaw. I feel like he’ll bring out the best in me in terms of that I can box a bit more and open up a bit more.

“That’s the plan, I want to headline shows in Belfast, it’s a great to be on this card with three other Irish fighters. I spent time on the Irish team with Garry and Thomas, I’ve boxed with Mick at training camps and he’s from my hometown. It’s a great opportunity for me on this card but the plan is to go back home, and headline shows by the end of the year. I feel like after this fight or one more in the summer I’ll be ready for a big name.”

Juan Carlos Rubio:

“I really enjoy taking on challenges and this will be another one for me. We did take the fight on very short notice, but we were already preparing, running and training waiting for this opportunity which presented itself.

“I’m going to come and give everything on Saturday, I want to give thanks to the champ for giving me the opportunity but yeah I’ll give it everything on Saturday.”

Terri Harper:

“It’s like I’ve never left now back at Lightweight. I’ve been trying to explain to my Grandma about moving up in weight and she said it’s only 5 pounds, but that 5 pounds makes a huge difference. I had a good training session and feel like I’ve got weeks of training left in me and I’m full of energy.

“I’m just happy to be back and excited to get back out there on Saturday night, show everyone what I’ve been working on. This camp was about taking everything back to the drawing board, going back to basics and making slight changes that have been needed to be made for a while.

“The fight’s been and gone now, it was a lesson learnt the hard way and I’m just excited to be here in the new weight division. I’m fully focused on what’s ahead and what’s to come this year.

“After the last fight I thought, everyone was going to go off and disappear but to be fair I’ve probably got more fans. I’m just grateful to everyone who’s been there since day one and we’re on this journey together through the highs and lows, I’m doing it for them really and they’re the reason I’m here.”

Yamila Belen Abellaneda:

“Here we are accepting the challenge, it was put to us, and I’m really pleased to be here. Once the offer came in, we took it with both hands.

“That’s what we’re here for. We’ve come here and put the work in, we’ve come to win.”

Gary Cully:

“I’ve been looking for this chance, calling your name since I was 2-0. I’m excited that it’s finally here, I’ve got a great opponent in front of me in Miguel Vazquez who’s been there and done it. It’s a big test for me as well and I’m looking forward to putting on an explosive performance on Saturday.

“I think 2022 is the year that I plan on making a statement in the world rankings and stepping up in challenge and winning World Titles, Vazquez is the first step in doing so. I’ve been building on the down low on the MTK shows, the smaller hall scene for the last couple of years putting in big performances. This is my first kind of show on the big stage and I’m looking forward to showing everyone what I can do.”

Miguel Vazquez:

“I’m really happy to be here in the UK. I’m facing a great opponent so it’s great to have this opportunity once again to show people in the UK that I’m still a big thing in boxing.

“Apart from whether or not I won or lost that fight, whether it was a robbery, you can call it what you like. I’m just so happy to be back again on these shores and show again what I can do in the UK, it’s a wonderful country and I’m so happy to be here.”

Sandy Ryan:

“This is what I want, I said I want someone who’s coming to win, she’s trained for ten rounds like it’s a World Title. It’s going to be a good fight; I respect her as a fighter and she has fought great champions but I’m different and she’ll see that Saturday night.

“I’m going to make the fight the pace I want to make it at, we’ve got a good plan me and Cliff. Honestly, if I have to outbox this girl I will, if I have to go to war I’ll go to war.

“Even now the people are seeing it’s too early, when I believe in myself and my team believes in me, you’ll believe in me after this fight. I’m just ready for anybody.”

Erica Anabella Farias:

“When I was offered this fight, most fights I’ve had in my career have been for World Titles, so I train as if it’s a World Title fight and I’ve been training as if this was a World Title fight. I’m always ready and accept the big challenges and I think champions are built over time, so I’ll be facing up as if this is a World Title fight.

“I live for this sport; I enjoy every single moment whether it’s the press conference of the weigh-in. Like I said, I’m focused for every fight like it’s a World Title fight so you can expect me to go into the fight and coming out victorious. What I would say to Sandy Ryan is to keep her guard up.”

Nico Leivars:

“I remember when I first got the call and got told that I’d me on this card, it’s literally 20 minutes up the road from me – it’s my home city. I’m blessed to make my pro debut on such a big card, on my mate’s undercard as he defends his World Title in my home city. I’ll just need to go in there now and make a good transition from amateur to the pros and put on a good performance.

“We’ve got a good boxing scene in Nottingham and the surrounding areas, to get boxing in the city and on the big cards on TV is only good exposure and it’s going to spur everyone on in their careers. I think it’s good to put Nottingham and Mansfield in the spotlight.”

Thomas Carty:

“Me and Dillian had a chat after the last one and we were looking to make a bit of a plan and see when get out again. It made the most sense to get me on this card, I was calling for it to be honest because I knew it would be a massive event and as you can see it. Big shoutout to Dillian, Matchroom and the team for sorting it.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday, I have a lot of people coming over to watch me. People from Dublin haven’t been given many chances to go on big cards, to get the crowd over for big cards as of late. I’m absolutely delighted there will be a big crowd coming over on Saturday and hopefully progress on to the Irish Title before the end of the year. I’ll be the first person then to win it since Tyson Fury so looking forward to that.”

Thomas Whittaker Hart:

“I’ve had a terrible couple of years thinking my career was going to be over in the last twelve months but thankfully it’s not. I’ve got a good opportunity on another good show, I want to push on for titles at the end of the year.

“I want to try and get my hands on the British Title by the end of the year, it’s what I thought about a lot when I wasn’t too well and out of the ring. That’s all I could think about, not being there and not having those belts, it’s made me hungry and want it more – it could have done a lot for me as well.”

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Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan Belfast press conference quotes

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Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan

Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England – 12 March 2022

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“We know this main event fight between Michael Conlan and Leigh Wood is taking place in Nottingham, but we wanted to come to Belfast because it’s been a while since we’ve been here for a fight.

“So many times, over the years we’ve seen young fighters from Belfast come through and fill up arenas, here in the Odyssey Arena and of course fight so successfully in England and America.

“This young man, Caoimhin Agyarko, we’ve never really had the opportunity to do a proper press conference with him because of COVID restrictions and the world we live in, but we’re delighted to welcome this young man to the Matchroom Boxing and DAZN team.

“About three or four years ago, someone approached me, said we have a very special fighter here you need to look at. We get a lot of those phone calls; we’d just finished the Olympics and we were signing fighters and unfortunately, I’d never heard of Caoimhin Agyarko and didn’t sign him that day. When I watched him fight after that I kicked myself very quickly and said we missed one there.

“When the opportunity came up with Paul Ready and STN to sign him recently, we signed him immediately. He won his first title, the WBA International Title in Liverpool, great performance and I’m delighted to announce that Caoimhin Agyarko will be in major title fight on the March 12 card in Nottingham.”

Leigh Wood – Nottingham, England – 25-2, 15 KOs – making the first defence of his WBA Featherweight World Title against Michael Conlan:

“I’m not a performing monkey, I’m a fighter. I’m not a media dream, I’ve not been managed well, I’ve done it from the bottom up. I’ve earned everything off my own back the hard way.

“In my opinion I don’t think Mick’s every been in a 50/50 fight, this is new for him, but I’ve come through those challenges. I’ve been in the bookies not favourite and come out the other side from a pressure point of view. He is right, there’s going to be a lot of people and a lot of pressure, but I thrive on pressure. My whole career I’ve been thrown in and come out the other side, we’ve got seven weeks to find out and I can’t wait.

“My greatest assets don’t even get talked about one bit, dedication, I’ve put my life on hold because boxing is everything to me. It always has been since a young age; he’s going to look at these defeats but that’s going to work in my favour. I don’t need to nit-pick through his performances, I know what I’m going to do, I know exactly what I’m going to do.

“Michael’s a great fighter, he’s had some really great wins and is going to be a really big challenge, but I know what I need to do on fight night. He’s a great champion, a great public image in Ireland, massive, all the best on fight night because he’s going to need it.

“I’ve been there before, in fights in my career, in my life. I’ve not had a promoter, anyone steering me in the right direction, I’ve not had my dad taking me to the gym from a young age. I walked in the gym on own 10/11 years old and it takes a lot to do that, to get to this point on my own. I’ve got here on my own with pure determination and grit, resilience and refusal to give up and that’s what it’s going to take to come through this fight and that’s what I do.”

Ben Davison, trainer of Leigh Wood:

“There’s a complete difference between saying I think someone’s going to lose a fight and being realistic, which is vital in my opinion. If you go the wrong way about a fight, you can lose a fight. This is a fight that if either man goes the wrong way about the fight, they can lose – that’s why it’s drawn so much, and the tickets sales are flying. It is that type of fight.

“I think it’s important to me that you have to be realistic, you have to have the mental strength to absorb that and perform at your absolute best.

“Leigh’s extremely mentally strong, I’ve worked with other elite fighters and Leigh’s got one of the best mindsets going into a fight of any fighters I’ve worked with. I believe in Leigh, and I believe in his mindset, of course.

“There’s been adjustments along the way, maturity, whatever it is – I stand on what I said. I’m not going to be deluded and say Mick can’t rack up a few rounds, of course he can. He’s a very talented boxer and very versatile fighter. I do believe that are certain tendencies and habits there that leave us with the opportunity to find that fight changing moment will happen on the night.

“I don’t think physically size will be a factor, no, although he’s not known as a strong fighter Mick is a stronger than what his record may suggest. There’s a reason why he struggles to make super-bantamweight, he’s not tiny but Leigh is a good size featherweight. I don’t think we’re going to go into the fight relying on physical attributes, it’s a tactical thing that he’s going to win this fight.”

Michael Conlan – Belfast, Northern Ireland – 16-0, 8 KOs – challenging Leigh Wood for the WBA Featherweight World Title:

“I’m in the back garden, I want to come and say what I want to say. There was no fear in me, I’m there and I’m going to talk my shit and say what I needed to say. Leigh stutters, he tries to spit things out and wasn’t making sense, but you know, it’s part of the fight game.

“I love this, this stuff gets my ready to go, I could fight right now. I’m ready to go right now, Leigh is not and doesn’t need to be until the fight night 100%. That’s the thing, I’ve stayed professional, I’ve been in training since September, I thought I was fighting in December – I kept training, stayed in shape, stayed fit. March 12 you’ll hear I’m the new and that’s all I want to say.

“I know exactly what it’s like fighting under that pressure of fighting at home, I’ve done it three times and every show has been massive. Loads of people there, so much expectation, a purpose-built arena in a park. This guy doesn’t understand it, he’s never felt it, you can see his demeanour has changed from yesterday.

“He doesn’t understand the pressure’s that come with fighting in your home city, he had the opportunity to fight at MSG and he can come to Belfast and fight if he wanted to. But no, he wants to fight in Nottingham, in the City Ground before he retires. He knows I can beat him.

“There’s possibilities in anybody losing, anybody, I’m not going to say it’s impossible, but he will not beat me it’s as simple as that. I really respect him as a fighter and a person, but again fuck all that until the fight is over. Once the fight is over, shake his hand. Happy days, can’t wait.

“I’m ready to go right to the end, it doesn’t matter, this fight means everything to me. I’ve taken myself away from both my children, the first time I’ve seen them in four weeks was last night and it’ll be the last time I see them in seven weeks until the fight. This is my life, the only thing I know is boxing, believe me on March 12 I’ll be the new, 100%.

“This is the start of my journey to become the best fighter in the world, once I win this belt, I’ll go on to do what I have to do after. I have to win this belt first before I even have to think about that.”

Jamie Conlan, Conlan Boxing:

“We know we’re the B side in this, we didn’t fly on private jets this morning, we flew on nice British Airways with the security lads – it was a very tight squeeze. We said yesterday what this means to the family, to Michael, to Ireland.

“Michael has carried the flag of Ireland from 2012, pressure on his shoulders that other fighters cannot comprehend. Leigh can’t comprehend the pressure Michael’s had to fight under, whether it’s through the Olympics of World Championships as an amateur, under the microscope as a professional, making his debut headlining a card.

“No one does that, that brings scrutiny and more eyeballs to you which is very hard to match, he’s had to learn in front of everybody and learn the hard way because he’s been open to criticism and scrutiny. This was all worth it to get to this point because there was a lot of learning, ups and downs during the four years he’s been pro.

“We’ve done it across America, over here, now we’re going to Nottingham. As I said yesterday, this is destiny, going to the opponent’s backyard and becoming a legend, creating a legacy. Ripping it away from him in front of his family and friends, the people he’s crowd up with, it doesn’t get much sweeter.

“We’re working-class kids from West Belfast, it’s an area that breeds them tough, we’ve come through tough times. It’s engrained in us, everyone in this room has got a bit of fight that they don’t have in places like Nottingham. This is a tough city; they breed them hard.

“He’s going to get everything checked, I expect this to be his toughest test, Leigh Wood is a fantastic fighter – the hardest hitting featherweight in the world I’ve heard Ben say. Harder hitting than Oscar Valdez he said yesterday, he’s going to test Michael in different way, no doubt about it.

“He’s strong, he’s tall, he’s bigger, he’s got every advantage, they think he’s more skilful. They think he’s got every advantage to Michael so it’s exciting. It adds to the intrigue, it adds to proving people wrong and the big ship we have on our shoulder.

“It’s going to be so good when March 12 comes, sitting 11-12 o’clock at night with the new WBA World Featherweight Champion and a nice big f*ck you to everyone else.

“Everything I stated yesterday was true, I gave him the opportunity to own up and he didn’t, so he lied. Everything he says from here on in I don’t believe, it’s bullsh*t.

“I like Leigh and I like Ben, but everything I stated was true. We also have more proof, screenshots from texts stating Ben’s doubts of Leigh Wood. I believe Ben believes in Leigh’s power; does he believe in anything else? No, he doesn’t.”

Caoimhin Agyarko – Belfast, Northern Ireland – 10-0, 7 KOs – undefeated Middleweight contender:

“Another Irish card, it was a great win for me last time out, a great learning fight, an unbeaten opponent who came to fight. Obviously, I could have performed better but thankfully I’m out in quick succession and looking to improve from that win.

“The Belfast fans have always supported me the amateurs and now into my professional career. I saw in Liverpool it was very noisy when I was fighting, and I expect the same in Nottingham – especially with Mick on the card. It’s a great card for me to be on, by the end of the year I want to be headlining shows or fighting back home in Belfast and giving them some great nights.

“I have said in the past that I’m a ten-fight novice, another two of three step ups and I’ll be ready to headline shows back home. I put myself in the top 15 in the world and that’s where I wanted to be by the end of 2021. Heading in 2022 it’s to go and get some names on the record.

“An Irish invasion, every person at this press conference will be at the fight and plenty more. It will be a very noisy and I can’t to relish the moment, hopefully have a good performance and a good win.”

Tickets for Wood vs. Conlan are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £300 (VIP).

General Sale tickets can be purchased via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) NOW.

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Rivalry continues at second Wood vs. Conlan press conference

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Rivalry continues at second Wood vs. Conlan press conference | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Rivalry continues at second Wood vs. Conlan press conference | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Boxen247.com YouTube Channel

Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan

Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England – 12 March 2022

It remained just as intense on day two of the press tour as Leigh Wood and Michael Conlan spoke in front of the media head of their WBA featherweight title fight.

Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) defends his title against Conlan (16-0, 8 KOs) at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on March 12, live on DAZN.

Following their first press conference in Nottingham on Wednesday, the fighters then headed to Belfast on Thursday, and things picked up right where they left off.

Wood said: “I’m a fighter. I’ve done everything off my own back the hard way. I don’t think Mick has ever been in a 50-50 fight. This is new for him, but I’ve done that and come out on top. I thrive on pressure.

“Mick is trying to convince himself. My greatest assets don’t get talked together, my dedication is everything. I don’t need to nit pick through his performances. I know exactly what I’m going to do.”

Conlan said: “There is no fear in me. I could fight right now and I am ready to go. Leigh is not and he doesn’t need to be until the fight night, but I have stayed professional and been in training since September.

“I stayed in shape and stayed fit, and on March 12 you will hear And The New. I know exactly what it is like to fight under that pressure of fighting at home. I’ve fought there three times and I get it. He doesn’t know what it is like. He will not beat me and it’s as simple as that.

“This fight means everything to me. I’ve taken myself away from both of my children and this is my life. The only thing I know is boxing and believe me on March 12 I will win.”

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Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan Nottingham press conference quotes

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Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan Nottingham press conference quotes | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan Nottingham press conference quotes | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Boxen247.com YouTube Channel

Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan

Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England – 12 March 2022

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Sport Chairman:

“Thank you, Nottingham, for turning out today, it was actually ten years this May coming that we were sat here for Carl Froch vs. Lucian Bute. Ten years since we were last in the Nottingham Arena for a major fight night, a world championship fight night.

“That night still reminds me of how great boxing is, one of the greatest nights in British boxing history and of course coming up on March 12, we have another tremendous night. We’ve been wanting to come back to this city for a long time and now we’ve got the excuse to do it with a brilliant fight – the World Featherweight title between Nottingham’s own Leigh Wood against Belfast’s Michael Conlan.

“It’s just a brilliant fight for both guys, for Michael Conlan he’s got the profile, the amateur pedigree, for a long time he’s been widely regarded as a World Champion in waiting. This young man to my right, Leigh Wood, people should be proud of, he’s really done it the hard way in the pro ranks.

“Wood boxed on small halls shows, fighting as the away fighter, suffered defeats when he probably shouldn’t have, took last minute fights. In our back garden in the summer, produced one of the best performances from a British fighter for a long time, dethroning Can Xu to become the World Champion.

“On March 12, Nottingham gets the chance to celebrate one of their own as a World Champion. It’s always great to have a kid from the city, a Nottingham boy, that gets a chance to defend his world title in front of his people live on DAZN.”

Leigh Wood – Nottingham, England – 25-2, 15 KOs – making the first defence of his WBA Featherweight World Title against Michael Conlan:

“I’m extremely focused, I was here as a young boy watching Froch do it, I was supposed to fight on that bill. To come here and watch Froch do it gave me that experience, how we handled the pressure throughout the week, I was taking it all in because I knew my time would come.

“Ten years old I wanted to do this, I wanted to be here in this seat right now and I’m not going to let it slip. I’m one fight away from a City Ground fight which is my dream and I’m not letting it slip.

“I’m not looking at that fight [Warrington], I’m not bothered about the belt, or the money. I’m here to do a job, I’m focused on Conlan and I know what I need to do to win. I’m working on the next seven weeks, practicing exactly what I need to do to come out and get the win. After the fight, we’ll look at what’s next and the belt situation.

“I respect him [Conlan] as a fighter, he’s not a fighter I’ve watched and thought he does anything unexpected or special. I do rate and respect him as a fighter, making sure I’m doing everything I need to do to win. He is quite tricky; we’ve looked at him in great detail.

“Social media wise, it seems like he’s got all of Team Conlan trying to rattle me, but it is what it is, I give what I get. He can do what he wants to try and throw me off, but I just see it as a weakness, trying to get any advantage he can – it’s not going to work one bit but do that opposite.

“This fight is everything to me. I don’t need to discredit him, tell him what he wasn’t done or performances, I know what I’m capable of and I know what I can do, I’m going to go out and do it – set up a massive fight, my dream fight at the City Ground.”

Ben Davison, trainer of Leigh Wood:

“It’s a tremendous fight and as Jamie and Michael said, the travelling Irish fans will cause a great atmosphere, the Nottingham fans have just shown they’ll bring a great atmosphere

“Every blood, sweat and tear that both these lads have put in over the years from when they both started boxing, it all boils down to this fight and this moment. There’s pressure, a hell of a lot of pressure, whoever can handle, accept, and learn how to use that pressure can create a diamond on the night. It’s a fantastic fight and it will be a fantastic turnout on the night.

“This is Michael’s first World Title shot and Can Xu was Leigh’s first World Title shot, obviously it’s a dream to fight for a World Title but for Leigh Wood it’s always been his dream to box for a World title in Nottingham. He’s got that now and that’s what brings the pressure for Leigh, he’s dealt with pressure before and he’s very good with dealing with it, I believe that will show on the night.

“It’s hard to explain but it still shocks me how hard Leigh hits, it’s freakish. I’ve trained him for over a year now and when I put the pads on it still shocks me. That isn’t going to win this fight, Michael’s a very versatile fighter who can adjust throughout the fight, through the rounds as well. Preparation, tactics, Leigh understanding what he needs to do and when he needs to do it, that’s going to be vitally important.”

Michael Conlan – Belfast, Northern Ireland – 16-0, 8 KOs – challenging Leigh Wood for the WBA Featherweight World Title:

“I was elated for him, I wished Leigh good luck on the week of the fight and really wanted him to win. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, he seems like a really good guy and I’ve heard loads of good things about him. I have the utmost respect for him as a person and fighter but fuck all that until after the fight. Let’s get the fight done.

“I’ve been in with big punchers my whole life, I’ve had over 250 fights in the amateurs and sparred numerous rounds with big punchers – Oscar Valdez.

“I have answer for anything Leigh does, I know what type of fighter he is, he punches hard yes but slow feet and curly head. I’ll punch ahead of him.”

Jamie Conlan, Conlan Boxing:

“I believe it’s destiny, Michael has always been tipped in Ireland to be one of the best boxers ever to come out of the country. He’s proved that as an amateur, he become the only male World Champion from Ireland as an amateur.

“He’s progressed nicely as a pro and when the opportunity to come to Nottingham come up, and there was some bitching and moaning, we were very happy because we sat down and said that’s what it’s meant to be. To become World Champion, you must go to the opponents back yard and beat him in front of his own family, friends, that’s how to state a legacy.

“The energy that’s coming across from Ireland, the ferocity and hostility that’s going to be in that arena. We’re very excited and I’m very proud as a brother, very proud to be part of his crew and see him progress to get to this moment. This is the one, this is destiny.

“No doubts at all, on March 12 he’ll be champion. We came just the two of us, that’s how confident we are, we don’t need to bring everyone in our gym and watch him to a press conference. We’ve come here, it’s business, very excited.

“Belfast, when they get behind their own, it’s hard to beat. As a city we don’t have much, boxing is our sport and passion, our boxers in Ireland and Belfast especially as back page news. In England footballers take priority, in West Belfast where we’re from boxers are lauded over any other sportsman because they understand that Belfast is a boxing city.”

Tickets for Wood vs. Conlan are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £300 (VIP).

Matchroom Fight Pass members are able to purchase tickets NOW. Priority ticket info has been emailed directly to eligible members.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) from midday on Thursday January 20.

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Tempers flare at the Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan press conference

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Tempers flare at the Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan press conference | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Tempers flare at the Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan press conference | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Boxen247.com YouTube Channel

Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan

Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England – 12 March 2022

There were heated words exchanged as Leigh Wood and Michael Conlan went head to head on the first day of their press tour ahead of their WBA featherweight title fight.

Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) defends his title against Conlan (16-0, 8 KOs) at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on March 12, live on DAZN.

The two men spoke in front of the media in Nottingham on Wednesday, and there was a lot of back and forth between each of them.

Wood said: “I’m extremely focused. I was at the Nottingham Arena as a young boy watching Froch do it. I knew eventually my time would come, and I’m not letting this slip. I’m one fight away from a fight at the City Ground and that is my dream.

“I’m here to do a job. I’m focused on Conlan and I know what I need to do to win. I respect him as a fighter and I need to make sure I do everything to win. I’ll keep beating everyone who is put in front of me.  I’m going to knock him out.”

Conlan said: “I’ve had an underdog mentality since I was a baby. Every fight I back myself, and I have answers for what anybody does.

“I wished him good luck on the week of the fight and I wanted him to win. He seems like a nice guy. I don’t know him personally but I have respect for him, but it will be And The New in Nottingham.”

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Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan tickets go on sale this week – FULL INFO

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Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan tickets go on sale this week - FULL INFO | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan tickets go on sale this week - FULL INFO | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Boxen247.com YouTube Channel

Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan

Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, Nottingham, England – 12 March 2022

Leigh Wood will make the first defence of his WBA Featherweight World Title against Irish star Michael Conlan at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Saturday March 12, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia) – and tickets are on sale THIS WEEK.

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.

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. “I don’t need to talk any sh*t, I’ll do my talking in the ring. 100% this is going to be my toughest fight but I’ll win it comfortably. It’s a chess match and I’ll be the one saying checkmate at the end. 2022 I become World Champion.”

Tickets for Wood vs. Conlan are priced £40, £60, £80, £100, £150 and £300 (VIP).

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from midday on Wednesday January 19. Priority ticket info will be emailed directly to eligible members.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) from midday on Thursday January 20.

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7 massive fight nights in America & the UK kick off a huge year on DAZN

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7 massive fight nights in America & the UK kick off a huge year on DAZN | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

7 massive fight nights in America & the UK kick off a huge year on DAZN | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Boxen247.com YouTube Channel

Eddie Hearn and Matchroom are delighted to announce a stacked start to 2022 in the USA and UK with seven blockbuster events to kick off a huge year on DAZN.

•    Saturday, February 05: Jessie Vargas vs. Liam Smith 
Headlining the event is former two-weight World Champion Jessie Vargas vs. former WBO Light-Middleweight champion Liam Smith with Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs. Carlos Cuadras clashing for the vacant WBC Super-Flyweight title also on the card at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The show will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Thailand).

•    Saturday, February 12: Daniel Jacobs vs. John Ryder
Super-Middleweight John Ryder looks to step up in 2022, taking on two-time Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs at the famous Alexandra Palace in London. The event will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

•    Sunday, February 27: Lawrence Okolie vs. Michal Cieslak
WBO Cruiserweight World Champion Lawrence Okolie will defend his belt for the second time at the end of February against Poland’s former World Title challenger Michal Cieslak. The event will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

•    Saturday, March 05: Estrada vs. Chocolatito III 
Juan Francisco Estrada and Román ‘Chocolatito’ González run it back once more for a highly anticipated trilogy fight for the WBA, WBC Franchise and The Ring Magazine Super-Flyweight titles at the Pechanga Arena San Diego in San Diego, California. The event will be live worldwide on DAZN.

•    Saturday, March 12: Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan 
Leigh Wood defends his new WBA belt for the first time after producing a stunning 12th-round knockout against Xu Can at Matchroom Fight Camp in July, now facing WBA ‘Interim’ Featherweight champion Michael Conlan on home soil at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham. The event will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

•    Saturday, March 19: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Michael McKinson 
Knockout artist Vergil Ortiz Jr. looks to make it 19-0, taking on flawless British world rated contender Michael McKinson in the first defence his WBO International Welterweight title. The Golden Boy Promotions event will be live worldwide on DAZN.

•    Saturday, March 26: Kiko Martinez vs. Josh Warrington II 
Spanish two-weight World Champion Kiko Martinez puts his newly acquired IBF Featherweight belt on the line against old foe Josh Warrington at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. Warrington outpointed Martinez in a close contest at the same venue back in May 2017. The rematch will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing Chairman, said: “We ended 2021 with a bang and I can’t wait to get started in 2022. It’s going to be such an exciting year for Matchroom and DAZN with massive events all over the world, and I’m delighted with the early schedule we’ve put together – unifications, World title action and career-defining nights; there’s so much drama packed into these nights, and we’ve got plenty more to add soon.”

Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN, said: “After a stacked fall fight schedule on DAZN to close out 2021, we’re committed as ever to maintain that pace with our partners and thrilled to announce an unrivalled start to 2022 – a year that will see new matchups constantly added as we continue to deliver nonstop boxing action to subscribers and fight fans all around the world.”

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Matchroom Boxing won the Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan purse bid

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Matchroom Boxing won the Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan purse bid | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Matchroom Boxing won the Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan purse bid | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan

Matchroom Boxing won the rights to promote the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title fight between champion Leigh Wood and mandatory challenger Michael Conlan.

The bidding took place on Monday November 1, and the promoter won the bidding with a bid of US$ 1,566,666.

The tentative date for the fight is the first part of 2022 and Matchroom gave as possible venues New York, USA; Belfast, Northern Ireland and Nottingham, England.

Also present at the bidding was Top Rank, representatives of the challenger Conlan, which offered US$1,210,000. They had planned to hold the fight on January 29, 2022 with Las Vegas, New York and Belfast as possible venues.

The winner will have 20 days to send the signed contracts of both fighters. It should be noted that Wood will get 55% of the purse as champion and Conlan will keep 45%.

The bout is mandatory and is part of the WBA world title reduction plan. The winner of the bout will have to face Leo Santa Cruz to define a single featherweight champion.

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WBA granted 7-day extension for Wood-Conlan negotiations

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WBA granted 7-day extension for Wood-Conlan negotiations | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

WBA granted 7-day extension for Wood-Conlan negotiations | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan

The bidding for the fight between Englishman Leigh Wood and Irishman Michael Conlan for the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight title, scheduled for Monday, October 11, has been postponed for 7 days at the request of the promoting companies involved in the negotiation.

Eddie Hearn, representative of Matchroom Boxing and Carl Moretti, who represents Top Rank, sent an email requesting the extension to President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza and the WBA Championships Committee.

Both parties expressed that they are very close to reach an agreement for the 126 lbs. bout and that this week it will be finalized.

Wood will make the first defense of his title against Conlan as a mandatory fight. Another fight that obeys the WBA world title reduction plan and that has generated a lot of expectations among the fans.

The British fighter has 25 wins, 2 losses and 15 knockouts, while Conlan is undefeated in 16 fights, with 8 knockouts.

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WBA orders Wood-Conlan: and the winner will go vs. Santa Cruz

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WBA orders Wood-Conlan: and the winner will go vs. Santa Cruz | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

WBA orders Wood-Conlan: and the winner will go vs. Santa Cruz | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Michael Conlan vs. Leigh Wood

The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee ordered the mandatory fight between British featherweight champion Leigh Wood and former interim champion Michael Conlan of Ireland. The winner of the bout will become the mandatory challenger to WBA super champion Leo Santa Cruz.

The bout was ordered under the WBA rules, specifically rules C.12 and C.13. The former explains that the champion must defend against the next leading available contender within 120 days from the date on which he won the crown.

Wood became champion last July 31, so his mandatory should take place by November 30 and in this case he will have to face Conlan.

Rule C.13 states that the champion cannot fight a fighter other than the official challenger within 60 days after the expiration of his mandatory defense period.

The entity sent the communication to both teams, who will have 30 days to negotiate. The period will begin this August 28 and will end on September 27. If the parties do not reach an agreement, the WBA will open the fight to purse bid with a purse split of 55% for Wood and 45% for Conlan.

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WBA champ Leigh Wood signs promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing

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WBA champ Leigh Wood signs promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)
Picture By Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

WBA champ Leigh Wood signs promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

WBA Featherweight World Champion Leigh Wood has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) stopped Xu Can in the 12th and final round to claim the WBA World Title in a big upset at the top of the bill on the first week of Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex last month.

‘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 World Champion Carl Froch who was watching on from ringside.

After only competing at British level throughout his career, Wood was thought to be up against it against Can, but it was clear from the opening bell that the powerful Ben Davison-trained puncher belonged on the big stage.

The 33-year-old Dave Coldwell-managed fighter is targeting unification fights in the 126lbs division after joining a thriving stable that boasts newly crowned IBF World Champion Kid Galahad and former World Champion Josh Warrington.

“I’m really excited to be working with Matchroom who in my opinion are leading the way in professional boxing,” said Wood. “I’m confident that they can deliver and help me achieve my dream on the biggest stage in boxing. Winning the WBA Title at Fight Camp was just the beginning for me. I want all of the big fights out there. I said I wanted the Emanuel Navarrete fight because he’s explosive like me, that’ll be absolute fireworks. Let’s unify the division. My best years are definitely ahead of me.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Leigh to the Matchroom Boxing team after his stunning victory at Fight Camp,”  said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “The Featherweight division is on fire right now in the U.K. and there are some huge unification fights out there also. We have the platform to box Leigh anywhere in the world but I’d love to land him a big fight at the City Ground next year.”

“I’m delighted to see Leigh Wood rewarded for his history-making World Title win at Fight Camp with a well-deserved promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing,” said Dave Coldwell.

“Leigh is one of the most improved fighters in the UK and has a brilliant team behind him in Ben Davison, Lee Wylie and Barry Smith. To go in at six weeks’ notice and turn in a performance like that shows that he belongs on the biggest stage. This is only the beginning for Leigh as he targets unification fights in the Featherweight division.”

(Kristian von Sponneck)

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Leigh Wood stops WBA champ Xu Can in Brentwood, England

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Leigh Wood stops WBA champ Xu Can in Brentwood, England | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Leigh Wood stops WBA champ Xu Can in Brentwood, England | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Leigh Wood stops WBA champ Xu Can in Brentwood, England | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Leigh Wood vs. Xu Can Result

Fight Camp Week 1 at Brentwood, Essex, England 31/7/21

Leigh Wood stopped Xu Can in the 12th and final round to claim the WBA Featherweight World Title in a big upset at the top of the bill on the first week of Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, live worldwide on DAZN.

‘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 World Champion Carl Froch who was watching on from ringside.

After only competing at British level throughout his career, Wood was thought to be up against it against Can, but it was clear from the opening bell that the powerful Ben Davison-trained puncher belonged on the big stage.
As the fight entered the championship rounds, Can tried to put his foot down as he felt his crown slipping, but he would pay for that approach in a memorable last session. A superb right hand dropped the Chinese fighter and after rising to his feet, Wood wasted no time in forcing the stoppage.

“It feels good you know, to get the stoppage over the line in a great and high-paced fight, the last round with six weeks’ notice, I couldn’t have done anymore,” Wood told Matchroom afterwards.

“I did say in an interview that I’m going to be catching him clean and it’s not down to me how long the fight lasts, it’s down to him pretty much. I could have sustained that all night. He took some big shots, big heart, credit to him but the accumulation has its effect as well. The shot I finished him with wasn’t as big as the ones I caught him with earlier on, but they took their toll, I caught him and got the stoppage.

“I had belief in my power, not only do I have big power, but I know how to get it off, how to set it up and how to mix it up. That’s the biggest factor in working with Ben, Lee Wylie and Barry Smith, they’ve really changed the game for me.

“He definitely wasn’t throwing 120 punches a round and that’s down to the game plan. Everyone was saying how are you going to do it, what are going to do, are you going to hit him hard, are going to hold him, it was down to the game plan. Even people watching don’t understand, but that’s a conversation for another day.

“Hopefully the younger generations see this and think you know what, he’s done it, World Champion, British, Commonwealth, European, hopefully people decide to go pick up a pair of boxing gloves and start their journey.

“Ben and Lee said to me they’ve never been so confident in someone getting the tactics right as much as me going into this fight. I thought that was a big statement, I was doing everything they wanted me to do. I executed it pretty much to perfection and credit to those guys for getting it right – I just do as I’m told, and it works.

“I’m easy, redemption with Dickens would be great for myself. Full confidence in Ben getting my tactics right for that fight, I had a bad night that fight, first southpaw I boxed as a pro, I’d like to put that right naturally.

“But if there’s bigger fights, I said I wanted the Navarrete fight he’s explosive like me, that’ll be absolute fireworks. People might slate me and say it’s a regular title, let’s fight for the super title, let’s unify – I want big fights.

“My career was stalled earlier on. In three years I’ve been British, Commonwealth, WBO European and now World Champion. My best years are definitely to come.”

(Kristian von Sponneck)

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Leigh Wood defeats Can Xu & full Fight Camp results from Brentwood, UK

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Leigh Wood defeats Can Xu & full Fight Camp results from Brentwood, UK | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Leigh Wood defeats Can Xu & full Fight Camp results from Brentwood, UK | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Leigh Wood defeats Can Xu & full Fight Camp results from Brentwood, UK | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Can Xu vs. Leigh Wood Result

Matchroom Fight Camp Week 1 from Brentwood, Essex, England 31/7/21

(by Kristian von Sponneck)

Leigh Wood 125.3 W TKO 12 Can Xu 125.2
(WBA Featherweight Title)

12x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: In a fight where Wood was the underdog and on short notice, he came out and took the fight to defending champion Xu. Wood seemed to boss the fight though the rounds were hard to judge, depending on if you favour volume or precision.

The general feeling was that Xu was going to take over in the second half of the fight, but this never happened. In the 12th round, Wood knocked Xu down and followed up until the referee stopped the bout. Time of the stoppage was 2:43 of round 12.

Leigh Wood, the new WBA featherweight champion of the world!

Chris Billam-Smith 199.3 W PTS SD 12 Tommy McCarthy 199.25

EBU European Cruiser Title
Commonwealth (British Empire) Cruiser Title
Vacant BBBofC British Cruiser Title

12x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: In a scrappy, draining and close fight, the bout went the 12 round distance with Billam-Smith winning a split decision win. Judges scores were 115-114 for McCarthy, 115-114 & 116-112 for Billam-Smith.

Rematch?

Campbell Hatton 135.6 W PTS 4 Jakub Laskowski 135.5

(Lightweight)

4x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: Hatton was in control throughout the 4 rounds, showing improvement with his stamina over the distance. The score from the referee was 40-36 for a Hatton points victory.

Anthony Fowler 155.25 W TKO 8 Rico Mueller 156

WBA International Super Welterweight Title

10x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: Fowler was in full control throughout the 8 rounds against late substitute Rico Mueller from Germany. The referee finally stopped the bout at 2:12 of the 8th round with what could be deemed a late stoppage.

With the win, Fowler will next fight former world champion and fellow Liverpudlian Liam Smith in Liverpool on October 9th.

Jack Cullen 163.5 W PTS 10 Avni Yildirim 163

IBF International Super Middleweight Title

(164lb Catchweight)

10x 3 Minutes

Fight Notes: In a competitive bout, Cullen showed that there is life after defeat as he outpointed the former world title challenger by scores of 100-90, 98-92, 97-93 and is the new IBF International Super Middleweight Title holder.

Yildirim was on the front foot for most of the fight Cullen effective with the jab with some excellent in-close work in front of an international audience. It was a great win which will give him a good world ranking.

Sandy Ryan 144.5 W PTS 6 Kirstie Bavington 144.25

(Super Lightweight)

6x 2 Minutes

Fight Notes: The bout went the 6 round distance with Ryan winning her professional debut by a score of 60-54. Referee was Mark Bates.

It was a good debut with Ryan in control from start to finish, showing a great variety of punches, catching Bavington with some superb punches along the way. Bavington for her part was game throughout and competitive.

Promoter: Matchroom, TV: DAZN

(Kristian von Sponneck)

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Xu Can & Leigh Wood make weight ahead of tomorrow in England

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Xu Can & Leigh Wood make weight ahead of tomorrow in England | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Xu Can & Leigh Wood make weight ahead of tomorrow in England | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)Xu Can & Leigh Wood make weight ahead of tomorrow in England | Boxen247.com (Kristian von Sponneck)

Xu Can vs. Leigh Wood Weights

Matchroom Fight Camp, Brentwood, Essex, England 31/7/21

Leigh Wood was in the best shape of his career on the scales as he weighed in ahead of his world title clash with Xu Can tomorrow night.

Wood (24-2, 14 KOs) challenges Xu Can (18-2, 3 KOs) for his WBA featherweight title during the launch of Matchroom Fight Camp this weekend, live on DAZN.

The weigh-in took place on Friday, with Wood tipping the scales at 125lbs 5oz, while defending champion Can was slightly lighter at 125lbs 3oz.

Wood is looking to build on his impressive stoppage win over Reece Mould back in February, where he knocked out the previously unbeaten opponent to claim the British featherweight title.

The Nottingham boxer also has stoppage wins over the likes of David Oliver Joyce and Ryan Doyle in his career, and now steps up in competition to take on Can.

It will be Can’s first fight since back in November 2019, when he made the second successful defence of his WBA world title with a unanimous decision win over Manny Robles.

(Kristian von Sponneck)

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For the list of boxing events we will cover live with and with unofficial scorecard (main event), click the following link > Live Boxing Results & Events<

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