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Wood doesn’t understand the pressure of fighting at home

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Wood dethroned Xu Can with a final round stoppage win in August Photo Credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Michael Conlan wants to take the WBA featherweight title from Leigh Wood on March 12 in Nottingham Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Michael Conlan wants to take the WBA featherweight title from Leigh Wood on March 12 in Nottingham Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Michael Conlan insists Leigh Wood is not prepared for the pressure of fighting in front of home fans ahead of his March 12 featherweight world title fight.

Wood defends his WBA featherweight title for the first time against Conlan at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham – the champion’s hometown.

Conlan has fought most of his 16-fight career away from his native Belfast, although he made his third home appearance in August, defeating TJ Doheny in front of a raucous crowd at Falls Park, and claims his rival underestimated the weight of expectation ahead of him.

“I know exactly what it’s like to fight under that kind of pressure or to fight at home,” the 30-year-old said during his second press conference in Belfast on Thursday.

“I did it three times and each performance was huge. Lots of people, so many expectations, a specially built arena in the park.

“This guy doesn’t understand it, he has never felt it, you can see that his behavior has changed since yesterday.

“He doesn’t understand the pressure of fighting in your hometown, he had the opportunity to fight at MSG and he can come to Belfast and fight if he wants.

“But no, he wants to fight in Nottingham, at the City Ground, before he retires. He knows I can beat him.”

Wood impressively dethroned Xu Can after a last-round stoppage in August to become the WBA champion, marking consecutive knockout victories since joining the trainer, Ben Davison.

Conlan, who is competing in his maiden world title fight, insists he has no concerns about the 33-year-old’s strength.

“I was proud of him, I wished Leigh good luck the week of the fight and I really wanted him to win,” Conlan said at his first press conference in Nottingham on Wednesday.

“I have a lot of respect for him, he seems like a really good guy and I’ve heard a lot of good things about him.

Wood dethroned Xu Can by winning the final round in August.  Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Wood dethroned Xu Can by winning the final round in August. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

“I have the utmost respect for him as a man and a fighter, but fuck it all until after the fight. Let’s finish the fight.

“I have fought with substantial boxers all my life, I have fought over 250 fights in the amateur category and I have had many sparring rounds with substantial boxers – Oscar Valdez.

“I have an answer to everything Leigh does. I know what type of player he is. He hits demanding, but his feet are leisurely and his head is spinning. I will strike before him.”

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Interviews

Natasha Jonas vs. Ivana Habazin

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Jonas dominated Habazin Photo Credit: Chris Dean/ Boxxer

Natasha Jonas became the unified welterweight world champion after defeating Ivana Habazin in Liverpool on Saturday. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Natasha Jonas became the unified welterweight world champion after defeating Ivana Habazin in Liverpool on Saturday. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer

Natasha Jonas unified the welterweight division by defeating Ivana Habazin by clear points on Saturday to add the WBC title to her IBF crown at the Exhibition Center in Liverpool.

Jonas (16-2-1, 9 KO) was last seen defending her title in January in a hard-fought split decision over Mikaela Mayer, while Habazin (23-6, 7 KO) won the vacant WBC welterweight title in her home country. time out, winning by wide points over Kinga Magyar.

After a technical opening round, Jonas settled into a steady rhythm before landing a powerful right hand in the fourth round that crushed Habazin.

There was a rivalry, but the home favorite was much better in the rallies and seemed to be losing round after round.

This situation lasted until the final bell, when Jonas became the winner by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-92.

Jonas dominated Habazin. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Jonas dominated Habazin. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Price is closing in on Jonas’ match

Lauren Price definitely stayed on as a collision course with Jonas and easily defended her WBA and IBO welterweight titles after a third-round fight against Bexcy Mateus.

Mateus (7-1, 6 KO) was on board in the first round, after the Welshman landed a powerful left hand, and the Colombian struggled to match Price’s speed.

The same shot caused the 29-year-old to repeat the punch in the second round, and the round later ended when another stinging left hand stunned Meteus and she fell to the canvas, after which the fight was stopped.

Price (8-0, 2 KO) has agreed to face Jonas next, and promoter Ben Shalom revealed it could be announced next week.

Knife edge passes McKenna

Lee Cutler scored an upset victory to claim the silver WBC International welterweight title after winning a majority decision against Stephen McKenna.

McKenna (15-1, 14 KO) was eliminated in the first round, his knee touching the canvas after being tagged, and Cutler (15-1, 7 KO) took full advantage of his opponent’s weakness in the seventh round when his right hand plunged into his knee. The Irishman who ultimately fell once again.

McKenna was relentless in his attacks and landed a huge number of punches.

The balance of 94-94 was surpassed by the scores of 95-93 and 96-92, which ensured the victory for Cutler.

Jeffers stopped Quartey

Mark Jeffers is on track for large fights in 2025 after defeating Joshua Quartey to defend his silver Commonwealth super middleweight title.

A pair of right hands put Quartey (10-1, 9 KO) on the board, and although he broke the count, a well-placed body shot after the restart by Jeffers (19-0, 6 KO) blew the guy away again.

A crazy attack after the restart forced a stoppage.

Jeffers destroyed Quartey. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Jeffers destroyed Quartey. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Riley secures Chamberlain’s face-off with a stoppage

Viddal Riley finished the heavyweight fight and stopped Dan Garber in the second of the scheduled six rounds.

Riley (12-0, 7 KO) hit Garber (7-4, 2 KO) with his right hand, and then his next attack forced the referee’s intervention.

Riley’s next match will be against Isaac Chamberlain on February 1.

Riley and Chamberlain will fight on February 1. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Riley and Chamberlain will fight on February 1. Photo: Chris Dean/Boxxer
Undercard remaining

Mason Cartwright (21-4-1, 8 KO) won all six rounds at super welterweight against Dzmitry Atrokhau (16-25, 7 KO), and Hope lightweight Frankie Stringer (9-0, 1 KO) did the same in the fight against Tatenda Mangombe (3-9-1).

In the flyweight division, Mikie Tallon (6-0) defeated Benn Norman (7-7) with a body shot in the first round of the match, and then settled for a 59-54 victory.

The only fighter to fight four rounds in the super featherweight division was Mason Devine (6-0, 1 KO), who won every session against Jayo Fernando Duran (15-34-1, 14 KO).

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Dillian Whyte explains how Tyson Fury can defeat Oleksandr Usyk

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Usyk put in a sublime performance to beat Fury in May Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Whyte gave Fury's former opponent some advice. Photo: Scott Kirkland/FOX Sports/Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Whyte gave Fury’s former opponent some advice. Photo: Scott Kirkland/FOX Sports/Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Dillian Whyte has revealed his predictions for the hotly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury on December 21.

Fury, who knocked out Whyte at Wembley Stadium in 2022, will seek revenge for the only defeat of his career in just 11 days, after losing to Usyk by split decision earlier this year.

Despite losing the night, “The Gypsy King” was a major success and many are struggling to pick a winner in his second battle against the imperious Ukrainian.

Some experts believe Fury needs to be more aggressive and take the lead if he is to win.

I’m talking to Social boxingWhyte revealed he shared that view, asking the Morecambe man to return to the game plan that saw him destroy Deontay Wilder in the return leg.

Usyk puts in a great performance beating Fury in May. Photo: Mikey Williams/top position
Usyk puts in a great performance beating Fury in May. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“It’s a great fight, man, I’m still trying to think – how will this fight go?

“Okay, Fury can make changes, but Usyk can make changes too. It’s a tough fight, a very, very tough fight for both fighters.

“If I were Fury’s coach, I would tell him he has to play aggressively.

“Fight him like you fought Wilder the second time.

“Bring back the aggression, bring back the tyrant!

Whyte was brutally stopped by Fury Photo Credit: Queensberry Promotions
Whyte was brutally stopped by Fury Photo Credit: Queensberry Promotions

“This is heavyweight boxing – you never know.”

It is unclear whether Fury will heed the advice of Whyte and others in the boxing world who have advised him to take the fight to Usyk, but looks noticeably heavier than before the first fight.

Win or lose, the 36-year-old could face a long-awaited home fight against Anthony Joshua, even though “A.J.” interrupted defeat against Daniel Dubois in September.

While it may not have been as great a spectacle as it once was, a clash between Joshua and Fury would still be by far the biggest all-British fight in recent memory.

As for Whyte, he returns to the ring next Sunday night and will face Ghanaian heavyweight Ebenezer Tetteh live on DAZN in Gibraltar.

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Gervonta Davis asks why he should fight Shakur Stevenson

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Davis will face Lamont Roach on March 1st (Photo Credit: Eshter Lin, PBC)

It looks like the Davis vs. Stevenson fight won't happen anytime soon. (Amanda Wescott, Showtime + Mikey Williams, top position)
It looks like the Davis vs. Stevenson fight won’t happen anytime soon. (Amanda Wescott, Showtime + Mikey Williams, top position)

The All-American fight between lightweight world champions Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson is one of the most anticipated fights in all of boxing.

Both Davis and Stevenson are undefeated multi-weight champions and are staples on any respected pound-for-pound list.

With this in mind, you could be forgiven for assuming that the pair locking corners in their prime years is a given, but that doesn’t seem likely to happen in the near future.

“Tank” spoke to the media at the press conference inaugurating his performance March 1 fight with Lamont Roach, and when the prospect of fighting Stevenson arose, he didn’t seem particularly interested.

The Baltimore hitter even went so far as to question what his compatriot did to deserve him.

Davis will face Lamont Roach on March 1 (Photo: Eshter Lin, PBC)
Davis will face Lamont Roach on March 1 (Photo: Eshter Lin, PBC)

“What for? Who has Shakur [beat]? What did Shakur do?

“What has he achieved in sports? He didn’t do anything! Juvenile people look better than him!”

“Keyshawn [Davis] you look so much better than that nigga! Shout it out nigga, he ain’t done nothing!

“Why the hell are you saying his name?”

Like Davis, Stevenson will also return to action in the first quarter of next year, fighting against up-and-comer Floyd Schofield on the February 22 Riyad season card.

Stevenson returns to action on February 22 in Riyad. Photo: Mikey Williams Top Rank
Stevenson returns to action on February 22 in Riyad. Photo: Mikey Williams Top Rank

The Newark southpaw has been sidelined since his July decision victory over Artem Harutyunyan after he had to withdraw from a proposed October fight with Joe Cordina due to injury.

Saudi boxing boss Turki Alalshikh has expressed his willingness to have a fight between the two virtuosos, provided both are successful in their upcoming fights.

While he undoubtedly has the talent to rival Davis, Stevenson is not as commercial a star as his rival, and some critics believe he needs to start giving more entertaining performances if he wants to get substantial names.

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