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
Harper vs Abellaneda – Round 9
Harper is southpaw again.
She swings a left hook that grazes Abellaneda, then follows it with a more accurate right hook.
Piercing right straight from Harper. The women clinch to end the round.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Harper vs Abellaneda – Round 8
Harper is back in an orthodox stance and connects with a lead left hook to the body.
Impressive head movement from the Briton as she frustrates Abellaneda.
Lots of feints from the fighters now.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Harper vs Abellaneda – Round 7
Harper is fighting out of a southpaw stance now, per instruction from her team.
The Briton seems hesitant to commit to shots from southpaw but does connect with a swift left hook nicely.
The women trade left hands late in the round.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Harper vs Abellaneda – Round 6
A spearing jab snaps back the head of Abellaneda.
The Argentine leans to her left and thrusts a hook into Harper’s ribs.
She’s soon backed up by Harper again, though. We see a brief pause in the action for an accidental low blow from Harper.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Harper vs Abellaneda – Round 5
Abellaneda is foregoing the jab and simply ducking to throw overhand rights.
Harper is not opposed to throwing her own right hand, the surgical reparation of which kept the Briton out of the ring for a year.
Harper digs a short left hook into the cheek of Abellaneda late in the round.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Harper vs Abellaneda – Round 4
The cut around Harper’s eye seemed to come from an accidental clash of heads.
Abellaneda lands a neat one-two but is then caught by the same combination from Harper.
Great right uppercut again from Harper! She steps back before landing the shot on the counter.
Now the Briton catches Abellaneda on the end of a jab.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Harper vs Abellaneda – Round 3
“Relax, find your distance, and just work your jab,” is the message from Harper’s corner. “Feint, feint, jab. Feint, feint, jab.”
Harper is light on her feet early in this third round and catches Abellaneda with a straight right upon entry.
A harsh left hook connects for the Briton! Abellaneda is backing up...
Harper is cut around her left eye, it’s hard to tell where it came from....
She lands a tidy right uppercut, though, seemingly not too fazed by the cut.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Harper vs Abellaneda – Round 2
Again Abellaneda presses forward. Again Harper finds some success with her jab.
Abellaneda tries for a hook and uppercut, but neither makes it through Harper’s guard.
Nice variation of shots from Harper, and some slick head movement to roll under a hook.
Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan
Harper vs Abellaneda – Round 1
Harper is quick out the gates, taking the centre of the ring. The women trade jabs before Abellaneda comes forward with a one-two.
A big overhand right almost lands for the Argentine. Now she’s leading the dance, forcing Harper towards the ropes.
A stiff jab lands for the Briton, however. And another that snaps back the head of Abellaneda!
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