Conlan clash an opportunity for Wood to prove his class
'Leighthal' Leigh Wood (25-2, 15KOs) added his name to the list of the British world champions earlier this year when he defeated China’s Xu Can to land the WBA (regular) featherweight title.
The 33-year-old from Gedling caused an upset in that fight, stopping his Chinese opponent in Brentwood back in July. That success has helped him climb to the top end of the pecking order in the featherweight division, BoxRec placing him at No.2 underneath IBF titlist Kid Galahad.
Wood’s first defence of his belt is set to come against Irishman Michael Conlan (16-0, 8KOs) in December. The Belfast boxer is the WBA interim champion at featherweight after he prevailed on points against T.J Doheny in August. That victory was his 16th success since he turned professional in 2017, after his infamous robbery at the 2016 Olympics, and ensured he kept up his 100% record. His last four fights have gone past 10 rounds.
The former Commonwealth and WBO European champion from Nottingham has been beaten only twice in his career so far. Gavin McDonnell stopped him in the sixth round way back in 2014, when he stepped up prematurely for the British super-bantamweight title; while more recently, he was on the wrong side of the judges’ decision in a 10-round contest against Golden Contract winner Jazza Dickens.
Wood’s latest win should give him the world of confidence, but he was in good form anyway with a devastating knockout over English champ Reece Mould in February this year to collect the vacant British featherweight title on his second crack at the crown. If he can follow the last two title wins up with success against NI's Conlan, a boxer who has a big reputation worldwide, selling out Madisonn Square Garden on St. Patrick's Day, his stock will really skyrocket.
Super Featherweight Could Be Next for Wood
Victory in his December bout will give him a lot of options in 2022. He could be ordered to face the WBA’s super champion, Leo Santa Cruz. The American is expected to return to the featherweight division following his defeat to Gervonta Davis.
An all-British clash with Kid Galahad may also be on the cards. If both men retain their belts in their upcoming fights, a unification contest could be made. Galahad is Britain’s newest world champion as he won the vacant belt when he defeated Dickens for a second time back in August.
Given his punching power, there is also a good chance Wood will step up to the super featherweight division in the near future. He will be keeping a close eye on the Jamel Herring and Shakur Stevenson world title fight on the 24th of October. The interim WBO champion Stevenson is odds-on at 71/500 with Marathonbet to come out on top in that fight.
Wood Could Become One of Britain’s Best Active Boxers
It has taken Wood 10 years as a professional to win a world title. His recent results are the best he has produced in his career, which indicates he is using his wealth of experience to good effect.
Up until 2016, Wood was fighting in local area fights. He won the Midlands Area featherweight title in 2016, beating Lee Glover to that belt. Three years later, he captured the Commonwealth crown, stopping Abraham Osei Bonsu in the second round.
The man from Gelding, Nottinghamshire, is not a household name yet but he's on the right track. He has stopped six of his last seven opponents, so he is an exciting fighter to watch for his weight.
No venue has been decided for the Wood-Conlan clash, but Belfast is expected to be the most likely city. It is set to be a huge fight in both men’s careers.