Xu Can-Leigh Wood Title Fight Reportedly Set For July 31 In U.K.
Xu Can appears destined to head to the United Kingdom for his next fight after all.
The high-octane featherweight will return to the ring for the first time since the pandemic, as he will defend his WBA “World” featherweight title versus England’s Leigh Wood. China Daily—the leading English-language publication in China—reports that the bout will take place July 31 (August 1 local time) in London.
Once confirmed, the pairing will represent the third title defense for Can, the all-action 27-year-old from Beijing who has been out of the ring since a November 2019 points win over Manny Robles III in Indio, California.
“Whatever opponents I have to fight and wherever I need to be, my goal is always the same,” Can told China Daily. “That is to bring the belt back to China."
"Now that [Wood] wouldn't dare to leave his home, I will come knocking on his door.”
Golden Boy Promotions—who has represented Can for each of his three U.S. appearances—was not in a position to comment since the bout has not been formally announced, nor would the company confirm that the fight is official.
Can (18-2, 3 KOs) was previously due to face England’s Josh Warrington in a battle of featherweight titlists. Warrington was the unbeaten IBF featherweight titlist at the time of their planned clash in his Leeds hometown, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Efforts to resurrect the fight for earlier this year were stalled when the WBA was noncommittal on upgrading Can to its “Super” champion—a designation held by Leo Santa Cruz for more than four years despite not having fought at the weight since February 2017.
Warrington then agreed to vacate his title, as the preference was to face Can in lieu of an ordered mandatory rematch versus Kid Galahad. A stay-busy bout was first sought versus Mexico’s Mauricio Lara (23-2, 16 KOs), only to miserably backfire as Warrington suffered a ninth-round stoppage this past February in a leading contender for Upset of the Year.
The two are reportedly due to run it back this coming September, although the rematch has yet to be announced or confirmed by Matchroom.
Meanwhile, Can looks to resume his career after seeing three separately targeted dates fall through. Another opportunity was eyed for this past June, only for a matchup versus equally entertaining Emilio Sanchez (18-1, 11 KOs) to never materialize. His team quickly acted, eventually landing on Nottingham’s Wood (24-2, 14 KOs), who rebounded from a recent loss to fellow featherweight contender Jazza Dickens with a knockout win over previously unbeaten Reece Mould this past February, only the undercard of Warrington-Lara.
Can claimed his secondary version of the featherweight title with a 12-round win over Jesus M. Rojas. Their January 2019 bout in Houston, Texas saw both fighters combine to throw over 2,600 punches. Two fights later, Can set the featherweight Compubox record with 1,526 total punches thrown in his aforementioned win over Robles.
