Michael Conlan vs. Leigh Wood | DAZN - 12 March 2022

[a force]

I hate fake titles but this is the reason they exist. Crazy pay day for Wood especially but also Conlan. I fancy Conlan to outpoint him in a good scrap but I don’t see either guy as world class

[Ruthless-RKO]

Michael Conlan: Irish boxer targeting New York world title fight on St Patrick's Day

Michael Conlan tells BBC Sport that he is hoping his WBA world featherweight title fight with Leigh Wood will be in New York on St Patrick's Day next year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/boxing/59239396

[Ruthless-RKO]

Conlan on Wood: I Can't Make Any Mistakes, He's a Dangerous Fighter Who Can Punch

Olympian Michael Conlan is prepared to face a very dangerous opponent in the form of WBA "regular" featherweight champion Leigh Wood.

The fight was ordered by the World Boxing Association. The winner would fall in position to face the WBA's super champion at the weight, Leo Santa Cruz.

Last month, Wood's promoter, Eddie Hearn, secured the promotional rights to the contest.

Back in July, Wood picked up a tremendous upset win when he stopped China's Can Xu to capture the WBA title.

After Wood's recent win, Conlan has a newfound respect for his upcoming opponent.

Conlan watched that title winning effort closely and he's going to be very mentally aware of Wood's power when they fight.

“Leigh showed that he's the biggest puncher in the division in his last performance. Can Xu destroyed my old gym mate Manny Robles junior and I know how good Manny is. So it's definitely a fight that you think: ‘Yes, it's a great fight and I would definitely take it' but I am going in there with a dangerous fighter who can punch. So I'll have to have my wits about me and I'll have to have everything on point. You just can't make any mistakes in that type of fight," Conlan told Irish News.

“I'd be confident of beating any of the champions but I don't think Leigh has got the credit he deserves for that win. I would give him massive credit because he went in there against a guy with massive output who's a very harder fighter to take on. Xu had set the record for the most punches in a fight in the featherweight division and Leigh nullified him with his power and his shot selection. So he's a guy I have to be very wary of and careful with but after my last couple of performances I believe that I'm ready and I'm very confident of beating some like Leigh. Now is my time, this is my chance and I have to grab it with both hands.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBA Confirms Santa Cruz Will Remain At Featherweight, Commits To Facing Wood-Conlan Winner

Leo Santa Cruz is prepared to play by the rules to retain his current title status.

Boxing Scene has confirmed that the four-division and reigning WBA “Super” featherweight beltholder has complied with a mandate to inform the sanctioning body of his plans at the weight. A previous ruling called for Santa Cruz to inform by December 13 of whether he planned to remain at featherweight and properly defend his belt or if he were to remain at junior lightweight in which case he would have been forced to vacate.

The latter move would have meant that England’s Leigh Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) would have received an upgrade from his current WBA “World” secondary featherweight title status ahead of his mandatory title defense versus Belfast’s Michael Conlan (16-0, 8 KOs). That bout—which still awaits a fight date—will maintain its present stakes, with the promise of the winner getting a crack at the main title.

“Leo Santa Cruz honored our request to clarify his current position,” Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, longtime WBA president told Boxing Scene while ringside for a Showtime Pay-Per-View event at AMALIE Arena in Tampa. “We can confirm that Leo will enter a voluntary title defense and has expressed his interest and commitment to facing the winner of Conlan and Wood.”

Santa Cruz (37-2-1, 19 KOs) has not fought at featherweight since a twelve-round win over Ricardo Rivera in February 2019. Two fights have since followed, both at junior lightweight where he won a WBA title in a decision victory over Miguel Flores before losing that belt in a sixth-round knockout at the heavy hands of Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) last Halloween in San Antonio.

The knockout loss is since followed by a lengthy inactive stretch and—prior to this past Saturday—uncertainty over his next move. Santa Cruz will now return to the ring February 5, as part of a recently announced Fox Sports Pay-Per-View event. The show is headlined by former welterweight champ Keith Thurman who ends a 2 ½ year ring absence to face former secondary junior welterweight titlist Mario Barrios who moves up in weight.

Santa Cruz serves as the evening’s chief support, as he faces Phoenix’s Keenan Carbajal (23-2-1, 15 KOs). The terms of the bout were not revealed, though Carbajal—who has won his last 18 fights—is a career featherweight but not currently ranked in the WBA Top 15.

In the event that Santa Cruz fails to honor any part of his commitment to the WBA order, the title will be declared vacant with the winner of Wood-Conlan recognized as the sanctioning body’s lone titlist. The much-needed shift in business practice is part of the the WBA’s aggressive title reduction policy rolled out earlier this summer.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Michael Conlan is Eager To Shock Leigh Wood on March 12 at Nottingham Arena

Olympian Michael Conlan is ready for his big moment.

The Irish star is eager to step in the ring for his mandatory fight against WBA "regular" featherweight champion Leigh Wood.

Conlan indicates that his world title challenge has been set down for March 12 at the Nottingham Arena.

“We're going into the lion's den: March 12 at the Nottingham Arena,” said Conlan to Irish News.

“Wood didn't fancy Belfast and [his trainer] Ben Davison didn't fancy Belfast, so we'll bring Belfast to them. I'm happily going to their town and I'll be ripping the belt off them.”

Conlan is not concerned about going for the title in enemy territory.

“I'd be a fool if I worried about that. It doesn't bother me where it is because I'm going to win, I know the decision in the ring will be the same – I'll be walking out victorious with my hand raised. I'll punch the head off him for 12 rounds if needs be – that's just the way the cookie's gonna crumble. I'm happy and I'm ready to rock – I'm looking forward to it.

“I'll probably have more people in the arena than Leigh Wood. Everybody loves an away-day, it's the third month of the year and I could see a lot of people travelling over. I think they'll have a great night.

Wood believes his power will be the difference in the fight.

He has 15 knockouts in 27 fights - with Conlan having 8 knockouts in 16.

In six of his last seven fights, Wood has stopped his opponents inside the distance - including a knockout of Xu Can back in July.

“The only thing he has more than I have is his knockout ratio – he has a bigger knockout ratio. He's a bigger puncher but that's not to say I'm not a puncher. It's not something that bothers me or that I'm worried about, I know I have a good chin and I know I have much more boxing ability and a better engine. I'm better than Leigh Wood at everything, he only has one thing – on paper – better than me," Conlan said.

“But everybody who said I wasn't a puncher in the past changed their tune when they got hit by me. I might not be the biggest puncher in the world but I have enough power to hit people and hurt them and keep them away from me. Nobody likes standing in front of me, TJ [Doheny] didn't either. At the press conference he was saying I couldn't crack an egg but I had him on the canvas."

[skanksta]

6 KOs out of his last 7 from Wood.

[mickey1975]

If there's no restrictions, it will still be very pro Irish.

[KiwiRider]

What a tease.
This is so far away.
At least both guys are young and we won't be expecting either to be on the slide by the time they fight

[Ruthless-RKO]

What a tease.
This is so far away.
At least both guys are young and we won't be expecting either to be on the slide by the time they fight

Yeh it's way too far.

I think it's sensible, given the current COVID situation. but it could have been earlier.

[maverick23]

I’m not sure what Wood’s done to make Eddie think he’s big enough/well known enough to headline a 10,000 people arena show.

I’d be amazed if it sells out and anyone local would probably be worth holding fire on tickets.

It’s a good fight though. It’s amazing the WBA haven’t stripped LSC which is a big shame.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I’m not sure what Wood’s done to make Eddie think he’s big enough/well known enough to headline a 10,000 people arena show.

I’d be amazed if it sells out and anyone local would probably be worth holding fire on tickets.

It’s a good fight though. It’s amazing the WBA haven’t stripped LSC which is a big shame.

Probably stack the show up. Local/nearby boxers.

[KiwiRider]

I’m not sure what Wood’s done to make Eddie think he’s big enough/well known enough to headline a 10,000 people arena show.

I’d be amazed if it sells out and anyone local would probably be worth holding fire on tickets.

It’s a good fight though. It’s amazing the WBA haven’t stripped LSC which is a big shame.

Conlan has plenty of fans, and Leigh Wood has won a few people over lately. His last 4 fights have been entertaining, it was razor close with Jazza. This is Conlan's best test, not so much on Wood's resume, but how deep Woodie can dig for the win. Motivated is an understatement.
I like this fight a lot.

[maverick23]

I’m not sure what Wood’s done to make Eddie think he’s big enough/well known enough to headline a 10,000 people arena show.

I’d be amazed if it sells out and anyone local would probably be worth holding fire on tickets.

It’s a good fight though. It’s amazing the WBA haven’t stripped LSC which is a big shame.

Conlan has plenty of fans, and Leigh Wood has won a few people over lately. His last 4 fights have been entertaining, it was razor close with Jazza. This is Conlan's best test, not so much on Wood's resume, but how deep Woodie can dig for the win. Motivated is an understatement.
I like this fight a lot.

I like the fight a lot too but it’s just strange to me that’s headlining a big arena show.

Froch in world title defences struggled to sell out the arena. Will be a test of Eddie’s/DAZN’s promotional powers.

[KiwiRider]

I’m not sure what Wood’s done to make Eddie think he’s big enough/well known enough to headline a 10,000 people arena show.

I’d be amazed if it sells out and anyone local would probably be worth holding fire on tickets.

It’s a good fight though. It’s amazing the WBA haven’t stripped LSC which is a big shame.

Conlan has plenty of fans, and Leigh Wood has won a few people over lately. His last 4 fights have been entertaining, it was razor close with Jazza. This is Conlan's best test, not so much on Wood's resume, but how deep Woodie can dig for the win. Motivated is an understatement.
I like this fight a lot.

I like the fight a lot too but it’s just strange to me that’s headlining a big arena show.

Froch in world title defences struggled to sell out the arena. Will be a test of Eddie’s/DAZN’s promotional powers.

cool, yeah can't wait either!
Sometimes I hope there are some empty seats that they hand out to the young fellas in local boxing gyms. Good for the sport.
But we also don't know how things will be pandemic-wise by then. There could be a contingency built into the planning so 10,000 might be the max capacity, but maybe 5,000 to allow some distancing?
It's so brave to be putting on big shows 3 & 1/2 months out like this one.
Also they might expect Conlan fans to travel. Fingers crossed, like you suggested, they fill the card with decent area level fights as well.

[peter barlow]

I’m not sure what Wood’s done to make Eddie think he’s big enough/well known enough to headline a 10,000 people arena show.

I’d be amazed if it sells out and anyone local would probably be worth holding fire on tickets.

It’s a good fight though. It’s amazing the WBA haven’t stripped LSC which is a big shame.

It should have been in Belfast or New York like was talked about. Eddie just wants home advantage for Wood, Conlan would have sold way more tickets in Belfast. No idea why Matchroom aren't doing shows in Belfast anymore, they would easily sell the tickets.

As you say if Froch couldn't do it, how would Leigh Wood sell that arena, he is not well known at all?

[peter barlow]

On the fight itself it's an even enough contest. I think it will probably be tight on the cards maybe even controversial, I'd make Conlan favourite but he probably doesn't have the power to get stop Wood.

Should be interesting Ben Davison and his team will have a specific strategy laid out no doubt.

It's an all MTK derby too.

[a force]

Hearn will lose a fortune on this. I think Conlan’s right & there’ll be as many of his fans in there as Wood’s.

I don’t think Wood’s ever been a ticket seller of any note. I’ve watched him fight in Sheffield & I don’t think there was more than a handful there for him.

I guess Hearn’s willing to take a loss to get Wood home advantage & a better shot at the belt & possible fights with Warrington & Galahad. I think he’ll need some hometown judging for Wood to win as I fancy Conlan on points

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

Leigh Wood: Conlan Makes A lot of Mistakes, I'll Have Big Advantage in Size, Power

“He is a good fighter. He is undefeated, but I don’t think he has been tested at featherweight. He recently jumped to featherweight, but I don’t even think he boxed at featherweight in his last fight," Wood told IFL TV.

“I will have a big advantage size-wise and power-wise, but I can’t overlook him. His skill set, world amateur gold, Olympian, medal at the Olympics. He is very good at hitting and not getting hit which is the name of the game. But sometimes he has a bit of an ego and likes to get shots back straight away.

“He does make a lot of mistakes which we are analyzing in great detail. But it makes for a great fight. These two styles will make a great fight, and hopefully, it is in my home city in Nottingham. We are aiming for March time. It could be in Nottingham, but I’m not sure if it will end up being in a neutral city like Manchester. But I really want it to be in Nottingham and I can’t see why it can’t happen. At the end of the day I am champion. If he wants it, come and get it.”

[fizzjambo]

Looking forward to this one, good move for Conlan and nice to see Wood get a home fight in his first defence, and a fairly high profile one at that.

Doesn’t feel like something that’ll do 5000 paid tickets, far in less 10,000 so be interesting to see how well this sells.

Conlan by UD in a competitive fight for me

[margaret thatcher]

ya its a real good fight

[KiwiRider]

I also pick Conlan to win by decision in a brutal war, but I will be cheering Woodie all the way!

[Ruthless-RKO]

I also pick Conlan to win by decision in a brutal war, but I will be cheering Woodie all the way!

I’ll be rooting for Wood

[KiwiRider]

I also pick Conlan to win by decision in a brutal war, but I will be cheering Woodie all the way!

I’ll be rooting for Wood

As opposed to having wood for rooting?

[Ruthless-RKO]

I also pick Conlan to win by decision in a brutal war, but I will be cheering Woodie all the way!

I’ll be rooting for Wood

As opposed to having wood for rooting?

Haha