[ad_1]
Irish star Michael Conlan 16-1 (8) has called for a rematch against WBA ‘regular’ featherweight titleholder Leigh Wood 26-2 (16) following his shock 12th round knockout loss at Nottingham Arena in Nottingham, England on Saturday night.
The 30-year-old Conlan looked the better man in the early going, dropping Wood in the opening frame and largely outboxing him until the halfway mark.
But the 33-year-old Wood, who was fighting in his own backyard, hung tough to work his way back into the fight. In the penultimate round he scored a flash knockdown and and finished the job at 1:25 of the final frame when he knocked Conlan out cold and through the ropes.
“When I woke up I was like ‘What happened? Did I lose?’,” Conlan told BBC Sport.
“I was devastated. I was annoyed, I got a bit frustrated and I was confused. There was a realisation as things started to kick in. I believed it was going to be my night, it was going to be my night until that punch. It’s just unfortunate but these things happen.”
Judges Guillermo Perez Pineda and Bob Williams both had Conlan leading 104-103 at the time of the stoppage, while judge Leszek Jankowiak had it slightly wider at 105-102.
Conlan believes he put in a respectable enough performance to deserve a second crack at Wood.
“I want a rematch. I think the performance, with me leading on the cards, deserves a rematch,” Conlan said.
“I think I’ve slept an hour. I’ve been on my phone looking at things. I’ve been off social media so I was seeing everything and there was loads of positive stuff. At the same time, I lost. I hate losing. It’s the worst feeling in the world for me.”
Immediately after the fight the classy Wood refused to celebrate.
“I hope Michael is all right I can’t celebrate until I know he is all right,” Wood said.
Promoter Eddie Hearn echoed those concerns.
“We should be celebrating one of the greatest comebacks I’ve seen in a ring,” the Matchroom Boxing boss said.
“But, of course, all we’re doing is praying for Michael Conlan. It was right above us. You know, he took him out, he fell through the ropes, the fight was over. And it was just the most brave, courageous fight back from Leigh Wood. He got taken out in the first round. He couldn’t find his legs for four or five rounds.
“I thought it was a masterclass from Michael Conlan through the middle stages, and even the back stages of the fight. Leigh come on in the 11th. And if I’m honest, coming out to the 12th round, I couldn’t really see a way that he could turn that fight around.
“To win that fight by knockout is one of the best comebacks in a fight. And, of course, our thoughts are with Michael Conlan. But this man as well showed so much heart tonight. You cannot believe what he went through. He never gave up. Not with one minute, 32 seconds to go in the fight. He never gave up. He never stopped believing.
“And Michael Conlan, he boxed a masterclass performance tonight. He was ahead going into the last round… He was winning the fight for me, Michael Conlan. Leigh Wood had to knock Michael Conlan out in the 12th round to remain world champion. And he did it.”
[ad_2]
Source link