So much is on the line for Leigh Wood and Michael Conlan this weekend, and I can’t wait to be ringside for it as I’m expecting a brilliant fight.
One year ago, Wood was a domestic fighter bouncing back from a loss to my good friend Jazza Dickens whilst Conlan was perhaps looking at a big fight at super-bantamweight. They meet this weekend with the WBA featherweight title up for grabs and it’s going to be explosive.
When Wood moved up several levels to beat Xu Can last summer to become world champion, it was a result that caused a huge shock. The Nottingham fighter had previously lost to Dickens and Gavin McDonnell, and it appeared that the British title he won at the start of 2021 was his ceiling. He made a mockery of that assumption with a ruthless display against Can that very much proved he’s world class.
Now, can he find that form again against Conlan?
I’ve said from day one, Conlan carries himself a like a true professional. An outstanding amateur, Saturday night has long been in the plans for Conlan because he’s been guided brilliantly towards this moment. Watching him fight, listening to him speak, admiring his confidence, there’s so much to like about Conlan and he finally has his big chance this Saturday.
He’s walked around this sport with so much pressure on his shoulders for so long, so I don’t see Saturday night’s atmosphere inside a hostile Nottingham Arena getting to him. He’s travelled the world since an early age, collecting many medals along the way, so a few thousand fans booing him won’t impact him in the slightest. He’ll be more than focused on what’s facing him across the ring.
Wood’s recent resurgence has saw many people within the boxing world heap praise on him. I’ve heard so many talk about his power, even though Jazza wasn’t impressed by it, and I think Conlan will respect him in that area. When it comes down to boxing and winning the rounds though, you must favour Conlan due to his incredible pedigree.
Just days from the fight, I’m still torn on what might occur.
Conlan has it in his locker to box his way to a win on the scorecards, but Wood will be confident that he can make it a fight and land on Conlan. That’s what makes the fight so appealing and exciting. Eddie Hearn went all in to win the purse bid and you can see why. It’s an amazing fight and the winner has so much to look forward to.
Wood will enhance his status at world level by ruining the incredible momentum built up by Conlan, and by ending his unbeaten run, he’ll become a name in the sport. For Conlan, he’s already a big star, and victory against Wood will make him an even bigger name.
The big nights in Belfast and New York that he’s familiar with will become even bigger events if he can become world champion. It’s not long until we find out.