By: Sean Crose
“I have a lot of respect for him,” Michael Conlan said of Leigh Wood during Tuesday’s press conference to promote his March 12 battle for Wood’s WBA featherweight title, “he just seems to be the one. a really nice guy and I’ve heard a lot of good things about him. I have the utmost respect for him as a human being and a fighter but let’s do all that until after the fight. Let’s finish the fight. Wood, too, is willing to put the good things aside.
“I respect him as a boxer,” the title defender said of his opponent. “He’s not the fighter I’ve watched and thought he’d do anything unexpected or special. I appreciate and respect him as a fighter, making sure I’m doing everything I need to do to win. He’s quite cunning; We looked at him in great detail. ” Leigh 25-2 then pointed out that 16-0 Conlan team were trying to take him down.
“Social media-wise,” Leigh declared, “it sounds like he’s been trying to piss me off by Team Conlan, but that’s it, I give what I get. He can do what he wants and try to get rid of me, but I just see that as a weakness, trying to gain whatever advantage he can – it won’t work in the slightest. do the opposite. ”
Leigh’s trainer, Ben Dasivson, brought up the fact that his boxer needs to enter the ring with a clear and focused mind. “It’s hard to explain,” he said, “but it still amazes me how hard Leigh hits, it’s just weird. I’ve been coaching him for over a year now and when I put the pads on it still shocks me. That won’t win this fight, Michael is a very versatile fighter who can adjust throughout the fight, through rounds. The preparation, the tactics, Leigh understanding what he needs to do and when he needs to do it, those are going to be hugely important. ”
Advertiser Eddie Hearn lavished praise on the entire event. “That night still reminds me of how great boxing was,” declared Matchroom honcho, “one of the greatest nights in British boxing history and of course coming on March 12, we Have another great night. We’ve been wanting to return to this city for a long time and now we have a reason to do so with an outstanding match – the Featherweight title between Leigh Wood of Nottingham and Michael Conlan of Belfast. ”
