It’s a tasty looking main event at the Nottingham Arena this Saturday night, as local lad Leigh Wood defends his WBA featherweight title for the first time in a tricky looking assignment against Michael Conlan.
DAZN televise Wood vs Conlan worldwide and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promote after winning the purse bid in November.
Gedling-based, Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) was a former Commonwealth champion, and entered the MTK Golden Contract tournament in 2019, where he stopped David Oliver Joyce in the quarter-finals before being edged out by majority decision against James ‘Jazza’ Dickens in the last four.
The start of 2021 saw the 33-year-old take the vacant British title with an excellent win over Reece Mould and he then received an unexpected shot at world honours in the Matchroom back garden in July against China’s Xu Can.
The champion was being geared towards a meeting with Josh Warrington, but Wood produced a masterclass, hardly putting a foot wrong before forcing a final round stoppage.
‘Leigh-thal’ now meets the highly decorated amateur, Conlan (16-0, 8 KOs) in what is a tough maiden defence.
After being robbed of getting to the latter stages of the 2016 Olympics, the Irishman has largely flattered to deceive as a professional.
The 30-year old has some decent wins against the likes of Jason Cunningham (UD10) and Sofiane Takoucht (TKO10) and avenged his amateur defeat to Vladimir Nikitin on the cards in December 2019.
Conlan was last out in August last year, dropping former world champion TJ Doheny on the way to a points win for the WBA interim belt.
Prediction: This is a cracking looking contest, and could be a nip and tuck affair. Conlan has the seasoning, but Wood is as tough as they come and is coming off a career-best win. I lean towards the Irishman to take a close win on the scorecards.
Harper returns
Terri Harper makes her lightweight debut after serving as WBC and IBO world champion at featherweight, and ‘Belter’ takes on Yamila Belen Abellaneda (13-4-1, 3 KOs).
The Argentine steps in for Heather Hardy, who withdrew due to a wrist injury.
Harper (11-1-1, 6 KOs) lost her world titles in spectacular style, halted in four by Alycia Baumgardner in November and will look to get back to winning ways here, and she should do, although the visitor is unbeaten in eight.
Prediction: Harper should take a decision win over the ten rounds.
Agyarko battles Rubio
Caoimhin Agyarko is one to watch, and the Irishman defends his WBA International middleweight title against Juan Carlos Rubio of Mexico over ten rounds.
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Prediction: Rubio (18-1, 9 KOs) was halted in three by Charles Conwell last time out, and Agyarko (10-0, 7 KOs) is on a six-fight knockout streak, and he can continue that run here.
Cully clashes with Vazquez
Gary Cully gets good exposure and a decent test, as he takes on Miguel Vazquez over ten at super lightweight.
The Irishman is on a good run, stopping Viktor Kotochigov in two in March 2021, before forcing Viorel Simion to retire after three rounds three months later.
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Prediction: Vazquez (44-10, 17 KOs) is a former world champion at lightweight, but Cully (13-0, 7 KOs) should take the win on the scorecards.
Ryan faces Farias
Sandy Ryan is a woman in a hurry, and for her fourth paid contest she takes on former world champion Erica Anabella Farias at super lightweight.
Prediction: Farias (26-5, 10 KOs) has lost her last three, all in world title company, but has never been stopped and Ryan (3-0, 2 KOs) will likely need the distance to win here.
Remaining Undercard
At light heavyweight, Thomas Whittaker Hart (5-0, 2 KOs) can take a points win against Ben Thomas (2-14-3, 1 KO) and Irish heavyweight, Thomas Carty (2-0, 1 KO) can take out Michal Boloz (2-3-2, 2 KOs) early on.
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There’s a debut at featherweight for Nico Leivars and the Mansfield native can take a points win against Jose Hernandez (4-38-1, 3 KOs).
