England's Leigh Wood knocks out Belfast's Michael Conlan to retain WBA featherweight title
Wood right-hand punch ends fight in 12th round at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham
Muted celebrations as Conlan falls out of the ring and is taken away for treatment
Conlan, who had knocked down Wood in round one, was conscious as he left the arena
Caoimhin Agyarko and Terri Harper won undercard fights earlier
Wood's head hasn't cleared. He's throwing wildly. He's getting clipped and is close going to go down again. We're midway through the second round. Michael Conlan is eyeing up a second-round finish. What a statement that would be on the world stage!
Ronald McIntosh
Boxing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live
A peach of a long, looping left hook from the southpaw stance put the champion down right at the end of the round.
Image source, PA MediaLEIGH WOOD IS DOWN IN THE FINAL SECONDS OF THE ROUND!
A loopy left hook connected flush on the champions jaw and he falls flat on the back! His legs are unsteady but is up and saved by the bell! wow!
Image source, PA MediaWood v Conlan
Conlan is on the back foot straight away, but strikes with a body shot to land the first blow of the game.
Wood lands two hard rights to the stomach. Slightly rushed work but the champion is the aggressor.
Michael Conlan stretches out his arms and laps up the applause as his name is announced.
Leigh Wood skips and throws some combinations. It's a moment he'll always remember in front of his home crowd.
The referee Steve Grey gives both boxers their final orders.
Here we go!
Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Spine-tingling ring walks from both men. Electric.
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"From the four corners of the world to the four corners of this ring here in Nottingham, England . The. Fight. Starts. Now." - MC David Diamante at his finest.
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Ronald McIntosh
Boxing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live
Both boxers animated, dynamic, shadow boxing in the ring. Conlan in green, white and gold. Wood in the Nottingham Forrest colours of red and white.
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Ronald McIntosh
Boxing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live
Leigh Wood not wasting any time. He is pacing impatiently, shadow boxing, waiting for his music to begin before he marches down the aisle.
Huge reception for Leigh Wood. He soaks it all in by the entrance. Shadow boxing. Looking around the arena. Taking a deep breath.
The Nottingham fighter should be an inspiration for any young boxer. Two defeats on his record but never gave up, before achieving his dream of becoming world champion.
Wood, chewing gum, walks to the ring before jumping over the top rope. He looks calm and composed.
Conlan is now playing the air guitar.
Wood v Conlan
A few boos echo around the arena as Conlan's face is shown on the big screen. He's still in his changing room as pockets of travelling Irish fans wave their flags.
Conlan winks to the camera as he makes his walk to to the arena. If nothing else, he's not short of confidence. He's made for the big stage.
Ronald McIntosh
Boxing commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live
We await Conlan's appearance here at the Motorpoint Arena. Michael Conlan is still in his locker room. All smiles as he joins in this rendition. His fans are in fantastic voice here in Nottingham. You would almost think you are in Belfast.
Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
As mentioned, this fight tonight is for Leigh Wood’s WBA ‘regular’ World Featherweight Championship with both fighters, understandably talking of their ‘world’ title fight.
The WBA ‘super’ featherweight belt is vacant, Mexican Emanuel Navarrete is the WBO champion, with Mark Magsayo of the Philippines holding the WBC crown after ending the long reign of American Gary Russell Jr with a majority points decision win in January.
But both Wood and Conlan will be very keen to watch the fight for the IBF belt as Spanish title holder Kiko Martinez takes on England’s Josh Warrington, who has already beaten Martinez once in his career, in Warrington’s home city of Leeds on 26 March.
Whoever wins tonight could well face either Warrington or Martinez next and if it’s Warrington who is victorious that could set up a stadium fight at Leeds United’s Elland Road or at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground if Wood triumphs tonight.
There's a fella in the crowd holding a beer in one hand, his phone in the other, holding another beer between his teeth and, at the same time, attempting to get on TV.
Multitasking at its finest.
Steve Bunce
Boxing expert on BBC Radio 5 Live
This fight could be won and lost in the excessive emotions of the first rounds. You're getting yourself ready to come out in front of thousands of fans.
Wood v Conlan
Michael Conlan says he believes he is better equipped to become a world champion now than when he initially hoped to fight for a title belt before the Covid pandemic in 2020.
"I'm more prepared to become a world champion than I was then," said Conlan of the delay to his title tilt.
You can read more on what the Belfast boxer had to say here.
Image source, Getty Images