Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan – Who wins?
Leigh Wood defends his WBA Featherweight World Title to unbeaten Michael Conlan this Saturday, March 12, at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, shown live worldwide on DAZN, (excluding New Zealand and Australia).
BBN asked their panel of experts who they think wins and why:
Jazza Dickens
World title contender
“It will be a close fight but I’m picking Leigh Wood to defend his world title, because of the experience he has over Conlan.”
Matt Marsh
Former British champion
“I think it be a good fight but Conlan on points.”
Ryan Walsh
Former British Champion
"After watching the weigh-in I’m still completely on the fence, therefore I’m going for this one to be a draw (depending on the judges, it could end up being controversial).
Wood has the hometown advantage and in the early-going any close round may be swayed due this fact plus he’s also champion. I don’t see a KO, I see a very strategic boxing match, with both men having their success.
Both boxers looked in great shape at the scales. Great, exciting fight. Us boxing fans are the winners in this one!"
Rick Ramos
Boxing coach / manager
“I like Conlan. He is lighter on his feet and is much more elusive in the ring.”
Steve Wood
Boxing Manager/Promoter
“Wood is the bigger puncher and most experienced so should be going with him, but just got the feeling Conlan on points. May even be another questionable decision.”
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area Super Lightweight Champion
"I think MC wins, he’s so confident, so talented. It’s really hard to conquer that, although Wood is great fighter. I think Conlan is just destined to go all the way."
Tim Rickson
BBN Editor
“I'm sure Mick Conlan will be the favourite but I can't help but edge towards Leigh Wood with his greater experience and power.
It's hard to pick a winner but I think that Conlan, with his incredible skillset, will win this on points.”
Mick Kane
Boxing/MMA Writer
“Looking forward to this one. Think it's a 50/50 fight. Wood has won Commonwealth, British, European and in his last fight the WBA Regular title but its only two fights since he last lost to Jazza Dickens in February 2020.
Conlan is still to taste defeat and his last fight against former world champion, TJ Doheny is probably his biggest scalp to date. Wood has fought 11 times more than Conlan, which could mean Conlan is the fresher fighter going into this.
I'm going for Conlan on points.”
Anish Parekh
BBN Writer
"Based on what I've read and heard, you would expect that Conlan wins this one quite easily but I think there are a few factors to consider.
Whilst Conlan is a skilled and seasoned fighter, his style still seems better suited to the amateur system to me and I wonder whether he transitioned to the pro ranks a bit too late. He moves well, displays decent hand-speed and throws nice combinations but seems to lack serious pop in his punches to deter opponents at the world level.
Leigh Wood can argue that he has the best win of the two with his victory over Xu Can in which he showed great resolve, energy and power in a thoroughly dominant performance to become the WBA Regular Champion.
I'm going to pick the upset special. With Wood buoyed by a rowdy home crowd and in the form of his life, I think he takes Conlan's best punches and grinds out a hard-fought victory by close decision."
Ben Day
Former Southern Area Champion
"I think it’s a 50/50 fight and struggling to pick it, can Conlan box at Wood's level? We will see, I heard 4,000 Irish are travelling over and they always support their own, so will that help Conlan in the ring?
Leigh edges it slightly for me."
Arijan Goricki
Featherweight prospect from Croatia
"My prediction is that Conlan will win via UD. I don't think the fight will be entertaining, but Conlan will win with his boxing skills."
Dee the Hat
Boxing trainer
"I’ve first met Mick when he came to Breens Gym with his brother Jamie, who was there training with me at the time. I called him “The Truth” because he had everything, even then as a kid I could see it. He had the ability, he had the desire, he had the family backing who knew the game.
Saturday night, the truth comes out. I will be absolutely made up for Jamie, Mick, and their family. The Conlan’s are good people, real boxing people. I’ll be roaring for them."
What they've said:
Leigh Wood: “I’m buzzing to be here, it’s been a long hard road to get here, back in 2014 that was a terrible night. I knew the reasons behind it, and I went away and corrected it. Same with both of the defeats I’ve suffered, I went away, changed my team and improved as a fighter. I stayed disciplined, lived the life and that’s why I’m bringing this big night back to Nottingham, I couldn’t be happier.
“I couldn’t be happier with my camp, my team, everything is on point. As Mick said, I’ve got the best version of him and he’s got the best version of me, there’s no excuses after the fight the best man will win.
“We rocked up at fight camp and people were basically saying good luck, thanks for turning up, we were taken aback and didn’t know what to say to them. I said in interviews I was going to win the fight, confidence has never been an issue with me, I’ve been confident when most kids didn’t have anything to smile about, I’ve been confident in the gym without fights and through injuries and defeats. I was confident in my ability and that I’d get there, now I’m here.
“This is fairy-tale sh*t, honestly, of all the arenas for Carl I was at in the seats screaming, I’m now headlining in the same arena. This isn’t the peak or where I stop, I’m going to go further than this. The city ground fight that you’ve dangled in front of me for so long, you [Eddie] said after this fight it’s happening, so I’ll hold you to that but eyes on Saturday night first. I’m coming to get the job done and look good doing it.”
Michael Conlan: “I’m ready to go, my confidence comes from preparation and my preparation has been fantastic. I’m very confident and very relaxed, we’re here in Nottingham and it’s time to go, there’s not much more to say other than I really can’t wait for Saturday night.
“I know what kind of performance is coming on Saturday night, this is the most relaxed and calm I’ve ever been in a fight week. I don’t feel any pressure, I’m here in the opponents back garden and I’ve got to rip the belt off him. Everyone’s here to see him, I’ve got fans coming in the thousands already so it’s nothing new.
“I’m just here to do a job, I hope Leigh has had a fantastic training camp, I hope he’s the best Leigh Wood there’s ever been because I believe I will be. It’ll make it all the sweeter when I beat him.
“I’m just expecting a fantastic performance by myself.”
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