TWO-AND-A-HALF years since Leigh Wood and Michael Conlan produced one of the most enthralling encounters to grace British soil, the pair could be set to meet again and continue their rivalry in a heated rematch.
Undefeated, well-schooled and well-backed, Michael Conlan, now 19-3 (9 KOs), stepped through the ropes as a firm favourite when tasked with the in-form but supposedly limited Leigh Wood, 28-4 (17 KOs), in March 2022.
With the WBA (Regular) featherweight title up for grabs, and reigning WBA (Super) champion Leo Santa Cruz being inactive, the fight was teed up as Conlan’s springboard into superstardom and was more or less a shot at full world honours.
After Wood was dropped in the first round, Conlan seemed to be on his way to an expected victory and eventual world title win, but in the latter stages, whilst behind on the cards, Wood began to fight his way back into the contest.
Dramatically, Conlan then hit the deck in round 11, before a round 12 onslaught culminated with Conlan collapsing through the ropes and Wood’s hand being raised after a remarkable comeback and finish. Wood retained his Regular title, which was then upgraded to the full world title in the months that followed.
Since then, Wood has become a two-time champion, losing to and then trumping Mauricio Lara in a three-month spell, before knocking out Josh Warrington. Wood then vacated the title and moved up in weight, but lost out to Anthony Cacace on his super-featherweight debut earlier this year.
Meanwhile, despite bouncing back with two victories, Conlan lost by stoppage in another title challenge against Luis Alberto Lopez, before a shock knockout defeat to Jordan Gill led to calls for the Irishman to retire.
Yet, after appointing Grant Smith as his new lead trainer and getting back into the win column against Asad Asif Khan in March, ‘Irish Mick’ is set to take on Jack Bateson, 20-1-1 (6 KOs), in Dublin on Friday night for the WBC International featherweight title.
Speaking exclusively to Boxing News, Leigh Wood opened the door for a rematch with Conlan if he can get past Bateson.
“The interest is there, I think it would always be a big fight, even bigger if he can get a few substantial wins together.
“A fight before would be ideal, but it’s not really needed; it all depends on the time frame, really.”
Given Wood’s difficulties making featherweight, the 37-year-old went on to detail that, although he believes the bout should take place on his terms, a catchweight contest is not out of the question.
“I won the first fight, and I don’t need the rematch, but if the interest is there and people want to see it, then being the victor of the first fight, I’d have the right to have the rematch on my terms.
“My future is at super-featherweight unless it’s an offer I can’t refuse, me and Mick could possibly meet in the middle if it was to happen.”
Finally, with Conlan’s chin coming into question in recent times, Wood went on to predict how his rival will fare both against Bateson on Friday night and in their potential rematch.
“I don’t think it’s a ‘gimme’ fight, Bateson definitely has a chance. I think it’s hard to call, I’m going for a close points decision, either way.
“First time around, I couldn’t have had a worst start, against the best Michael Conlan that we have seen, and I still got the job done.
“Would his chin hold up against me? I guess we have to let history speak for itself.”
Conlan-Bateson goes ahead tomorrow night at the 3Arena in Dublin and will be available to watch live on Channel 5 from 9pm (BST).
