[Boxing-UK] 12.3/ 22:00 L.Woods- M.Conlan
Posted: 12 Mar 2022 15:25
[Boxing-UK] 12.3/ 22:00 L.Woods- M.Conlan
This fight is about whether Michael Conlan becomes, even for a minute, the top-tier pro that has been sold since his professional debut five years ago, or if he’s just not that guy, more hype than ability, with a skill set that just doesn’t translate to top-level success.
Not that Leigh Wood is an elite guy overall in the sport, but he’s arguably a top five featherweight right now. It’s not the strongest division at the moment, and we’re talking about someone who lost clean and fair to Jazza Dickens all of three fights ago. But Wood switched up his camp, changed his approach a bit, and has dominated his last two bouts.
Conlan can within the same fight look like a class boxer and then a hype job. I think he absolutely falls short against the cream of the crop, but is Wood good enough not just to win, but to get the judges to agree he won? Wood has home field in Nottingham and it’s a Matchroom show, so it might be Conlan who needs to make sure this thing is truly clear.
I think this is a fascinating matchup if you’re someone who has paid close attention to Conlan’s pro career. This is make or break, and given the level of promotion he’s been given by Top Rank, Leigh Wood was not expected to be the “make or break” opponent in fight No. 17. But we’re dealing in the reality of it, not in the salesmanship. Conlan’s 30. He’s the fighter he’s going to be, probably. But Wood is 33, too, and has never really been seen as a guy who would go to true world level. I’ve got no confidence in this, but I’m going with Wood to ride the wave of momentum and the home crowd’s backing to a win. Conlan has just too often not looked the part. I think Wood also has the potential to really pour it on at some point, so I’ll throw the real dart, calling for a late stoppage.
1 @2,40 Bet365
This fight is about whether Michael Conlan becomes, even for a minute, the top-tier pro that has been sold since his professional debut five years ago, or if he’s just not that guy, more hype than ability, with a skill set that just doesn’t translate to top-level success.
Not that Leigh Wood is an elite guy overall in the sport, but he’s arguably a top five featherweight right now. It’s not the strongest division at the moment, and we’re talking about someone who lost clean and fair to Jazza Dickens all of three fights ago. But Wood switched up his camp, changed his approach a bit, and has dominated his last two bouts.
Conlan can within the same fight look like a class boxer and then a hype job. I think he absolutely falls short against the cream of the crop, but is Wood good enough not just to win, but to get the judges to agree he won? Wood has home field in Nottingham and it’s a Matchroom show, so it might be Conlan who needs to make sure this thing is truly clear.
I think this is a fascinating matchup if you’re someone who has paid close attention to Conlan’s pro career. This is make or break, and given the level of promotion he’s been given by Top Rank, Leigh Wood was not expected to be the “make or break” opponent in fight No. 17. But we’re dealing in the reality of it, not in the salesmanship. Conlan’s 30. He’s the fighter he’s going to be, probably. But Wood is 33, too, and has never really been seen as a guy who would go to true world level. I’ve got no confidence in this, but I’m going with Wood to ride the wave of momentum and the home crowd’s backing to a win. Conlan has just too often not looked the part. I think Wood also has the potential to really pour it on at some point, so I’ll throw the real dart, calling for a late stoppage.
1 @2,40 Bet365