All the details you need to watch the Xu Can vs Leigh Wood world championship clash
'Monster' vs 'Leigh-thal'
BBN have provided viewers with all the details needed to tune in and watch China's Xu Can (18-2, 3KOs) clash with Nottingham's Leigh Wood (24-2, 14KOs) on the 212th day of the year.
Can-Wood replaces Benn-Granados as the headliner of the eagerly-awaited Fight Camp Week One event – full details below:
Date
The bout takes place on Saturday, July 31.
Venue
The Matchroom Sport HQ in Brentwood, Essex.
Rounds scheduled
12x three-minute rounds at featherweight (126lbs).
Titles
Beijing's Xu Can defends his WBA World featherweight title for the third time to Nottingham's Leigh Wood.
Ringwalks
The ringwalks for the main event are expected from 10pm UK time, but that will depend on the undercard results.
Time
Before The Bell starts at 6:15pm on Matchroom Boxing YouTube channel and Facebook page, with the first fight on the card being broadcast live, which will be Sandy Ryan vs Kirstie Bavington.
Then the Fight Night Live action on DAZN starts at 7pm, kicking off with the Avni Yildirim vs Jack Cullen IBF International Super-Middleweight Title fight.
TV Coverage
Coverage will be shown exclusively on DAZN and you can sign up here
Live Stream
You can watch online via the DAZN app
BBN are providing LIVE updates on the night HERE
Price
The event is free to DAZN subscribers, which costs it's members just £1.99 per month.
Undercard Highlights
Belfast's Tommy McCarthy (18-2, 9 KOs) and Bournemouth's Chris Billam-Smith (12-1, 10 KOs) collide in a huge showdown for the European, British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight Titles. This is a fight fans have been calling for, for some time, so it's definitely one not to be missed!
Related Articles
Everything you ever need to know about Can vs Wood can be found HERE
Background
Matchroom Fight Camp returns with three back-to-back weekends (July 31, August 7 and August 14) as game-changing global five-year deal with DAZN begins in the UK.
WBA #9 Conor Benn was due to defend his WBA Continental welterweight belt for a fifth time to Mexican-American Adrian Granados, but returned a positive Covid-19 test on fight week, leading to Xu Can vs Leigh Wood being bumped up to the main event.
Trained by Ben Davison, 32-year-old 'Leigh-thal' Wood is jumping up from British title level to World title level, but he is 100% confident in his ability to be able to dethrone the Chinese champion who hasn't lost any of his last 15 fights, which includes three world title contests.
'Monster' Can's brace of defeats occurred in his first five fights as a pro, back in 2014, and were mixed and split decisions. Trained by Pedro Diaz, he is now almost seven years unbeaten and is 3-0 in world championship fights, with all three of his career knockouts occurring during his last six fights. Find out more facts about China's third ever world champion HERE
All of Wood's last five victories have come via knockout, so he comes into this contest with a 100% KO ratio over his last five fights, and Can has a 50% KO ratio over his last six bouts, so there could be a high chance of a stoppage win for one of these featherweights.
Quotes
Wood: “It’s the thing you dream of stepping into the gym as a kid, fighting for a World title. I’m 100% confident in getting the win across the line on Saturday night. I’ve worked really hard, my testament in being in the gym and staying ready, ticking over, and improving with Ben is the reason I’ve got myself ready in short notice.
“My last fight for the British title I only had a short time with Ben, I was working on things and just did as I was told, I just trusted him, and it worked. Now I’ve been back in the gym after that fight, picking things up and now I understand what I’m doing.
“After my last fight I was looked at pursuing one of the champions, but there’s so many names at Featherweight – the division is red hot. I can’t look too far ahead; I’ve got to be extremely focused on Saturday because all of that can dissolve into the abyss. I need to be 100% focused on Saturday night, I am, and I truly believe I will win this fight.”
Can: “I’m in the best state, I wasn’t able to fight in the last 20 months. I’m fully prepared and looking forward to the fight on Saturday night.
“Now I want to focus on this fight, Leigh Wood is a great fighter and I’m taking this really seriously. I will think about the other fighters after Saturday night.
“We will show the fans a big show on Saturday night. For the fans, I will take the victory back to my family and country. Nothing can stop me.”
Full press conference quotes HERE
Predictions
Tim Rickson,BBN Editor: “I will be rooting for Leigh Wood to win, of course. It's possible that this could be a leap up up too far, but he has a great chance of winning against a fighter who isn't a dangerous puncher, although he has three stoppages from his last six outings. Regardless of what happens, what an experience for Wood, and it's a fine message to other boxers out there to always be ready.
Back to the fight, I'm also hoping that Can's inactivity will go against him; he hasn't fought since November 2019, which is 20 months ago now! In that same time, Wood had a fantastic battle with Jazza Dickens, losing out on a mixed decision in the Golden Contract tournament semi-finals, followed by a thrilling ninth-round TKO over English champion Reece Mould.
Xu Can is known for his tenacity and high output, so Wood is going to be under pressure from the get-go. He looks in incredible shape, so I don't think his fitness should come into question, but he make take a coue of rounds to settle.
I'm going to let my heart rule my head and go with a points victory to Leigh Wood, but logic would say that it will be the other way around. I'm sure Wood will do himself and his beloved Nottingham proud either way."
Rankings
Wood: WBA #12; IBO #14; WBC #21; BoxRec #14
Can: ESPN #2; Ring #3; TBRB #3; BoxRec #4
Stats
Wood
Age: 32
Bouts: 26
Rounds: 120
KOs: 53.85%
Height: 5' 8"
Reach: 68"
Can
Age: 27
Bouts: 20
Rounds: 166
KOs: 15%
Height: 5' 9"
Reach: 69"
Form
Wood: W-L-W-W-W
Can: W-W-W-W-W
Official Weights
Wood: 125lbs 5oz
Can: 125lbs 3oz
Betting Odds
Leigh Wood: 3/1
Can Xu: 3/10
Draw: 20/1
Running Order
Main Event
Xu Can vs Leigh Wood
12×3 WBA World featherweight title
Chief Support
Tommy McCarthy vs Chris Billam-Smith
12×3 British, European, Commonwealth cruiserweight titles
Campbell Hatton vs Jakub Laskowski
6×3 Lightweight contest
Anthony Fowler vs Rico Mueller
10×3 WBA International super-welterweight title
7:00pm
Avni Yildirim vs Jack Cullen
10×3 Super-middleweight contest
6:15pm
Sandy Ryan vs Kirstie Bavington
6×2 Super-lightweight contest
Results
Sandy Ryan vs Kirstie Bavington
Jack Cullen vs Avni Yildirim
Anthony Fowler vs Rico Mueller
Chris Billam-Smith vs Tommy McCarthy
Xu Can vs Leigh Wood
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