Nick Peet: Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan preview

“Champions are made from something they have deep down inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”

Keep that Muhammad Ali quote in mind when you sit down to watch Leigh Wood make the maiden defence of his WBA featherweight title against Michael Conlan on Saturday night, because at some point skill will step aside for will.

Many fight fans are labelling this fight as simply puncher versus boxer, but it’s definitely much more than that. Wood’s improvements technically have taken his career onto a new trajectory, whilst Conlan’s drive to finally break onto the world stage holds no bounds.

Wood has to make his greater pro experience and that vociferous home support count when he walks out in front of his fanbase at Nottingham Arena. The 33-year-old crowned a decade in the paid ranks with a career-defining victory over China’s Can Xu last summer, forcing a 12th round stoppage despite being ahead on the cards.

Trainer Ben Davidson claims Wood is the hardest puncher pound-for-pound he’s ever taken on the pads, a bold claim seeing as he’s worked with Billy Joe Saunders and Tyson Fury. But after six back-to-back stoppage wins it appears justified.

However, there was also a narrow points defeat to Jazza Dickens mixed into that run too. Whilst, earlier in his career Wood (now 25-2) was stopped in six by future stablemate Gavin McDonnell, in 2014, although both opponents would go onto to contest for world titles themselves.

FULL CARD

That kind of experience has helped Wood mould himself into the champion he is today. Moments of adversity he’s had to overcome and grow from to realise his full potential. He’s now peaking as an athlete.

We don’t quite know where Conlan’s at in his career trajectory however. The challenger has been on the road to riches ever since his high-profile departure from the Rio Olympic Games quarter-final in 2016. Now 16-0 as a pro, he’s yet to truly have a break out moment.

The 30-year-old from Belfast insists he’ll rise to the occasion when he contests the lesser WBA title this weekend, something he was known for in an amateur campaign that included an Olympic bronze in London, then Worlds, European and Commonwealth Games golds.

After turning professional in 2017, Conlan signed a lucrative deal with Top Rank and fought mostly out of the US, especially NYC’s Madison Square Garden. A stylish, tidy boxer with great feet and outstanding ring IQ, he rarely misses and has a canny habit of winning rounds in second gear.

But that’s also been the primary criticism of the Irishman. It’s almost been too easy for him and he’s not winning over fans with cruise-control performances. This is the moment he has to start living up to his pedigree.

Most see this as a coming out party for Conlan. And, if everything clicks for him, it may well be. But as a pro Wood has delivered more consistently and against a higher calibre of opponent.

The champion may well fall behind on the cards, but once Conlan takes his foot off the gas he will not see the Wood for the punches! Then skill will have to step aside for will. And, as Ali suggested, in that moment is where champions are crowned.

TIP: Wood on Points