The clash between the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight champion, the British Leigh Wood, and the mandatory challenger, the Irish Michael Conlan, already has a date. On Saturday, March 12, both will step into the ring of the Nottingham Arena, in the United Kingdom, in a fight with reserved predictions.
In the midst of the world title reduction plan, the Championships Committee of the pioneer body ordered the fight. Conlan was the interim champion and when the decision was made to vacate these belts, he was left as the mandatory challenger and the legitimate right to face the champion.
Wood comes from defeating Can Xu last July 31 in a great show and became one of the revelations of the year in boxing. The 33-year-old fighter will be making the first defense of his belt and wants to shine in front of his people.
Conlan, on the other hand, is recognized for having won the bronze medal in the 2012 Olympic Games. He comes from defeating T.J. Doheny in his most recent fight on August 6, 2021. At 30 years of age, he is face to face with his dream and does not want to waste the opportunity.
Wood has a record of 25 wins, 2 losses and 15 knockouts, while Conlan has 16 wins, no losses and 8 knockouts.