BoxRec

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.

i like it

Is this for the Ring belt?

Interesting match up, completely out of the blue this one.

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 03:12 Is this for the Ring belt?

Is Leigh Wood even ranked by the Ring?

Why would you ask that?

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 04:16

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 03:12 Is this for the Ring belt?

Is Leigh Wood even ranked by the Ring?

Why would you ask that?

Trying to b funny. Still not got over the fact warrington beat Galahad. And dining out on the fact lara beat warrington. He had issues with the the possibility of jw can xu being for the ring belt. As jw was ranked 1 and can xu was 3 at the time.

maley1984 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 04:51

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 04:16

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 03:12 Is this for the Ring belt?

Is Leigh Wood even ranked by the Ring?

Why would you ask that?

Trying to b funny. Still not got over the fact warrington beat Galahad. And dining out on the fact lara beat warrington. He had issues with the the possibility of jw can xu being for the ring belt. As jw was ranked 1 and can xu was 3 at the time.

There’s quite a bit of talk that if Leigh Wood beats Xu then he’s got a multi million dollar PBC deal on the table.

maverick23 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 05:28

maley1984 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 04:51

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 04:16

Is Leigh Wood even ranked by the Ring?

Why would you ask that?

Trying to b funny. Still not got over the fact warrington beat Galahad. And dining out on the fact lara beat warrington. He had issues with the the possibility of jw can xu being for the ring belt. As jw was ranked 1 and can xu was 3 at the time.

There’s quite a bit of talk that if Leigh Wood beats Xu then he’s got a multi million dollar PBC deal on the table.

maverick23 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 05:28

maley1984 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 04:51

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 04:16

Is Leigh Wood even ranked by the Ring?

Why would you ask that?

Trying to b funny. Still not got over the fact warrington beat Galahad. And dining out on the fact lara beat warrington. He had issues with the the possibility of jw can xu being for the ring belt. As jw was ranked 1 and can xu was 3 at the time.

There’s quite a bit of talk that if Leigh Wood beats Xu then he’s got a multi million dollar PBC deal on the table.

interesting @ multi million dollar... leigh wood hasnt seen anywhere near that in his purses thus far, in fact i would be surprised to see if hes made over 60k for one.

Having said all of that, leigh wood is way above domestic level, even though stupid people within boxing, will try and fob him off as domestic class because he holds the british title.

He's lost twice at domestic level....

maverick23 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 05:28 There’s quite a bit of talk that if Leigh Wood beats Xu then he’s got a multi million dollar PBC deal on the table.

It only took a £50,000 bid for Warrington to quit and perform the biggest duck in British boxing history.

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 05:54

maverick23 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 05:28 There’s quite a bit of talk that if Leigh Wood beats Xu then he’s got a multi million dollar PBC deal on the table.

It only took a £50,000 bid for Warrington to quit and perform the biggest duck in British boxing history.

Yeah.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 05:51 He's lost twice at domestic level....

Lol so ex world champion gavin mcdonell and world title challenger jazza dickens are domestic level?

Offthehook wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 12:12

mickey1975 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 05:51 He's lost twice at domestic level....

Lol so ex world champion gavin mcdonell and world title challenger jazza dickens are domestic level?

Gavin didn’t win a world title but challenged for it a couple of times.

Both are good European level/fringe world class.

Offthehook wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 12:12

mickey1975 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 05:51 He's lost twice at domestic level....

Lol so ex world champion gavin mcdonell and world title challenger jazza dickens are domestic level?

Yes.

Is Can any good?

never say you cant, only say xu can

mickey1975 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 12:53

Offthehook wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 12:12

mickey1975 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 05:51 He's lost twice at domestic level....

Lol so ex world champion gavin mcdonell and world title challenger jazza dickens are domestic level?

Yes.

well mickey, like usual i think your on your own with that one, so il leave you to it :)

maverick23 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 12:34

Offthehook wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 12:12

mickey1975 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 05:51 He's lost twice at domestic level....

Lol so ex world champion gavin mcdonell and world title challenger jazza dickens are domestic level?

Gavin didn’t win a world title but challenged for it a couple of times.

Both are good European level/fringe world class.

that was it the title was vacant, when he fought rey vargas to a decision. bearing in mind who rey vargas is, thats a world level performance surely.

Jazza is fighting for a world title (legit shot and earned) so again thats at least fringe world level to me.

euro level is fringe world class imo, either way both would be above domestic, (in almost everyones mind anyway )

Offthehook wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 07:26

maverick23 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 12:34

Offthehook wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 12:12

Lol so ex world champion gavin mcdonell and world title challenger jazza dickens are domestic level?

Gavin didn’t win a world title but challenged for it a couple of times.

Both are good European level/fringe world class.

that was it the title was vacant, when he fought rey vargas to a decision. bearing in mind who rey vargas is, thats a world level performance surely.

Jazza is fighting for a world title (legit shot and earned) so again thats at least fringe world level to me.

euro level is fringe world class imo, either way both would be above domestic, (in almost everyones mind anyway )

Woods best wins are below European level. He beat the English champ for british ( good performance) but his not beat any one above that and the best 2 lads his faced he lost to and at the time they were domestic opposition

to fight for a world title you just have to be ranked top 15 by a sanctioning body

archie sharp is #2 wbo could fight for a world title right now. that canadian lad that tenny butchered in 1 is a top 10 world fighter according to the wba

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 11:26 to fight for a world title you just have to be ranked top 15 by a sanctioning body

archie sharp is #2 wbo could fight for a world title right now. that canadian lad that tenny butchered in 1 is a top 10 world fighter according to the wba

That’s why I wrote legit shot/earned because if we’re going off what class is who by who they beat…well Archie is barely English level because he really lost to ofori. The Canadian aka orielly is buxtons boy and agreed he was a can who I’ve seen up close in Toronto twice, he’s what u call a ticket seller locally. Anyone can get ranked with a bauble. Like I say jazza earned his shot, it’s a legit one.

So if wood is “domestic level” xu should have zero problems with him then…il return to this post when it’s over :)

maley1984 wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 11:23

Offthehook wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 07:26

maverick23 wrote: ↑08 Jul 2021, 12:34
Gavin didn’t win a world title but challenged for it a couple of times.

Both are good European level/fringe world class.

that was it the title was vacant, when he fought rey vargas to a decision. bearing in mind who rey vargas is, thats a world level performance surely.

Jazza is fighting for a world title (legit shot and earned) so again thats at least fringe world level to me.

euro level is fringe world class imo, either way both would be above domestic, (in almost everyones mind anyway )

Woods best wins are below European level. He beat the English champ for british ( good performance) but his not beat any one above that and the best 2 lads his faced he lost to and at the time they were domestic opposition

At the time? Jazza fought him 2 fights ago…from domestic class to world title legit challenger in a single fight?!?

His best win was the Irish kid not Ryan Doyle

Offthehook wrote: ↑10 Jul 2021, 05:25

maley1984 wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 11:23

Offthehook wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 07:26

that was it the title was vacant, when he fought rey vargas to a decision. bearing in mind who rey vargas is, thats a world level performance surely.

Jazza is fighting for a world title (legit shot and earned) so again thats at least fringe world level to me.

euro level is fringe world class imo, either way both would be above domestic, (in almost everyones mind anyway )

Woods best wins are below European level. He beat the English champ for british ( good performance) but his not beat any one above that and the best 2 lads his faced he lost to and at the time they were domestic opposition

At the time? Jazza fought him 2 fights ago…from domestic class to world title legit challenger in a single fight?!?

His best win was the Irish kid not Ryan Doyle

I didnt say doyle was his best win. If it was thats English title level. The irish kid looked ok but has dropped down in weight since and he as been stopped twice since. Good luck to wood I hope he wins but his record puts him at domestic level at the moment no wins their prove his above it. As for dickens by winning minor titles with ibf and wbo is to why his got high in the rankings to gain a shot. Wood hasn't even defended his british title thats the difference

maley1984 wrote: ↑10 Jul 2021, 08:34

Offthehook wrote: ↑10 Jul 2021, 05:25

maley1984 wrote: ↑09 Jul 2021, 11:23


Woods best wins are below European level. He beat the English champ for british ( good performance) but his not beat any one above that and the best 2 lads his faced he lost to and at the time they were domestic opposition

At the time? Jazza fought him 2 fights ago…from domestic class to world title legit challenger in a single fight?!?

His best win was the Irish kid not Ryan Doyle

I didnt say doyle was his best win. If it was thats English title level. The irish kid looked ok but has dropped down in weight since and he as been stopped twice since. Good luck to wood I hope he wins but his record puts him at domestic level at the moment no wins their prove his above it. As for dickens by winning minor titles with ibf and wbo is to why his got high in the rankings to gain a shot. Wood hasn't even defended his british title thats the difference

A few holes in this post. The Irish kid hasn’t been stopped twice since moving down in weight he was stopped once by baluta who gave conlan a hard night. Ryan Doyle by your definition is a higher level to Reece mould based on who he fought and beat.

Jazza dickens has fought and beaten more quality guys than can xu has, who is a world champion.

The level you belong at to me is the performances against quality opposition more than wins. I’m not too concerned with what minor titles jazza has picked up he’s fought good men. He didn’t win a bauble and claim it was a legit title like Archie sharp,
Who has fought absolute binmen, and carried that bs title like it means something. Woodstock beat a journeyman for that title, says everything.

Anyway we will see after the fight who belongs at what level and where, fact is if Leigh is domestic he will get shut out or stopped, anything beyond one sided suggests he’s above domestic.