Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan LIVE: Fight stream, latest updates and result tonight
Re-live round-by-round updates of all the action at the Nottingham Arena
Leigh Wood retained the WBA featherweight title on Saturday night in the most remarkable of boxing contests, sending Michael Conlan through the ropes in the final round after climbing off the canvas himself in the first frame.
There was plenty of support for home fighter Wood at the Nottingham Arena, and the champion started impressively, but the fight looked set to be short lived when the challenger floored Wood on the bell at the end of Round 1. Conlan looked low but threw a left hand over the top to send Wood crashing to the canvas, and the resilience required by the Englishman to make it back to his feet was only built upon as the bout progressed.
Olympic bronze medalist Conlan boxed smartly throughout, picking his shots wisely with his back against the ropes, as Wood found occasional success to the body of his undefeated opponent but increasingly looked to be forcing punches and chasing Conlan, who was stunting any momentum that Wood could create. Still, the hometown fighter continued to press forward valiantly.
Wood, 33, put together his best spell late in Round 10, somehow rallying to the body of Conlan after eating a series of bruising left hooks. The champion then scored a debatable knockdown of his 30-year-old opponent – who believed he had simply slipped – in the 11th frame. The enthralling contest came to a head early in the 12th and final round, when Wood sent Conlan tumbling through the ropes with a vicious knockout. Conlan was subsequently taken to hospital in an ambulance and was later confirmed to be “conscious and stable”.
Re-live round-by-round updates from Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan and all the undercard action, below.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Round 9
Conlan keeps his right hand low and swings two big left hooks, both of which land.
Wood once more backs up Conlan against the ropes and thunders a right hook into his challenger’s ribs.
Both fighters are a little flat-footed now...
Wood eats a right hook well.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Round 8
This has been a brave showing from Wood, but he’s still been second best.
In any case, he pushes Conlan back and throws a spiteful hook to the body.
The pair tie up and are warned by the referee for getting a bit too physical.
A firm left hand lands for Conlan! But Wood comes back with another harsh right hook to the body!
This is so entertaining. Conlan finds a couple of effective shots at the very end of the round.
“Stay off the f***ing ropes!” is the call from the Irishman’s corner again.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Round 7
Wood is chasing Conlan somewhat now.
Conlan tries to counter with a left hook but catches the champion with his forearm instead.
Wood backs Conlan up against the ropes, but the Irishman responds well with hooks low and high, before spinning away.
Conlan is just not quite catching Wood at the right time, his punches not as effective as they could be.
A dramatic end to the round, with both men rolling shots and sending in hooks, and Conlan coming off slightly better.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Round 6
It seems it’s a cut to Wood’s eye, caused by an accidental clash of heads.
“Get off the f***ing ropes!” Conlan’s corner yell at him ahead of this round.
The Irishman takes the centre, but he’s forced back as Wood unleashes shots to the challenger’s body!
The Nottingham crowd likes that. Now the fighters tie up, with Wood catching Conlan with a short left hook as they separate.
Again Conlan is backed up against the ropes, and again Wood pours on punches, targeting the body of the Irishman.
Conlan returns fire with a series of body hooks, but Wood finds success upstairs as well.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Round 5
Conlan switches to orthodox then back to southpaw.
The fighters trade straight shots to the body. Now Conlan lands to the head off both wings.
Wood fires back with a decent combination up top! He appears to be bleeding around his nose, though.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Round 4
Conlan is working off the left hook, low and high.
Wood backs up the Irishman, though, and fires off shots with his challenger against the ropes! He holds Conlan and digs in some uppercuts.
Eventually the pair are separated. Wood finds a home for a right hook to the head of Conlan then rolls under a shot.
Nice body shots from the champion now! He appeals to the crowd on the bell.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Round 3
Conlan ducks then stabs a straight punch up at Wood’s head.
The Irishman jabs low then high. He lands another jab to the face of Wood.
Wood returns fire with a short uppercut as Conlan steps in.
Conlan jabs to the body then curls a left hook into Wood’s cheek. A right hook then connects for the challenger, and Wood slips!
Now Wood lands a left hand that has Conlan stumbling! What a fight.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Round 2
Conlan looked low but came over the top with that huge left hand.
Conlan swipes at Wood with a right hand now then lands a left hook that hurts Wood, who is desperately holding on now!!!
He manages to cut Conlan around the left eye somehow, but Wood is in survival mode!
Another left hand lands for Conlan. It’s surely a matter of time now. Wood is dazed.
But somehow Wood comes back with a hard right hook! He tries to follow it up, but his flurry isn’t accurate enough.
The Englishman finds a little success against the ropes, though. Wow. How is Wood still in this?
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Round 1
The pair reluctantly touch gloves. Here we go!
Clubbing right hook from Wood at once, then he briefly ties up Conlan against the ropes.
Conlan is noticeably in an orthodox stance at the moment.
Wood takes the centre and is roared on as he moves forward. He slings a right hand into the body of Conlan.
Conlan is southpaw now, but the switch of stances doesn’t stop him from receiving a big right hand from Wood.
Again Wood hooks to the body. He can’t quite time a left hook to the head, though, not for the first time in Round 1.
Conlan lands to the body with a couple of straight lefts now, and then a left to the head.
AND ON THE BELL CONLAN KNOCKS DOWN WOOD! RIGHT ON THE BELL! HE FLOORS THE ENGLISHMAN WITH A LEFT!
Wood will make it into Round 2, but barely!
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