Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan Preview

It's been 10 years since Nottingham has witnessed a world champion box in the historic city. March 12th see’s Leigh Wood (25-2 15 KO's) make his maiden defence of his WBA World featherweight title against Irish Olympian Michael Conlan (16-0 8 KO's) at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, Live on DAZN.

Nottingham has produced a select few elite fighters over the years, most recently Carl 'The Cobra' Froch, a multiple time world champion, holding the WBA, WBC and IBF titles in his career. He frequently filled the Nottingham arena to the brim with local fans desperate to see the explosive super middleweight champion. Now the city is on the verge of a new star, ready to assault the world scene but first he has to fend off unbeaten Irishman Michael Conlan.

Conlan boasts an impressive amateur record, featuring in two Olympic games, winning Commonwealth games gold and holding wins over Khalid Yafai and Nordine Oubaali to name a few. His amateur pedigree has helped him push through the pro ranks at a quick pace landing him a world title shot after just 16 fights.

In comparison 'Leightal' Leigh Wood only has a handful of amateur experience compared to Conlan and had to work his way to the top the hard way, various small hall shows in and around his home city of Nottingham. Wood earned the chance to fight for the prestigious British title against Gavin McDonnell. Unfortunately for Leigh it wasn't to be on that particular occasion, falling to a 5th round stoppage loss, but that experience would help him later in his career.

2019 was probably the most important year in Leigh Wood's career to date, a stoppage win over Abraham Bonsu to claim the commonwealth title, which would really kick start his career. 2 months later Wood headlined in his home city for the first time on Matchroom's NxT Gen card in May as he defended his commonwealth title for the first time against tough competitor Ryan Doyle, an emphatic KO in the 10th round from Wood was enough to retain his title.

In 2021 Wood defeated Reece Mould to claim the British title on his second attempt and in his very next fight he captured World honours as he snatched the WBA World title away from Xu Can with a 12th round stoppage.

Michael Conlan has boxed the majority of his career over in the United States, fighting a host of major Top Rank cards, and as of late sold out the iconic venue of Falls Park in Belfast when he beat TJ Doheny last year. The lack of experience in the professionals is made up of his stellar amateur experience but this is definitively Conlan's acid test on Saturday night.

The consensus is that Wood will have to knockout Conlan to win this fight, the same predictions were made before his emphatic victory over Xu Can last year. Although he did stop the reigning champion he was ahead on all three judges scorecards at the time of the stoppage and his boxing ability shouldn't be overlooked.

Full undercard

Terri Harper vs. Yamila Belen Abellaneda; lightweight

Caoimhin Agyarko vs. Juan Carlos Rubio; middleweight

Gary Cully vs. Miguel Vazquez; lightweight

Sandy Ryan vs. Erica Farias; super lightweight

Thomas Whittaker-Hart vs. Simon Krebs; light heavyweight

Thomas Carty vs. Michael Boloz; heavyweight

Nico Leivars vs. Jose Hernandez; lightweight

Where to watch & start time

The event is live and exclusive on DAZN and will start at 7PM