Michael Conlan ‘all is well’ after falling off the ring during loss to Leigh Wood
Michael Conlan assuaged his health concerns after a somersault off the ring in their dramatic 12th round loss to Leigh Wood in their world championship competition.
onlan was on all of the referee’s scorecards going into the final three minutes but a bruised right hand caused him to sag against the ropes before overtaking them after his opponent followed. with a rage.
Referee Steve Gray was unable to dissuade Conlan in time to prevent a fall to the hard floor and Wood’s emotional celebration of retaining his WBA featherweight title was muted when his opponent with medical participation.
Definitely want a rematch lol
– Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) March 13, 2022
It was a disturbing end for a candidate of the year, with Conlan being led out of Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on a stretcher and taken to hospital before he gave a reassuring update on his condition. his early Sunday morning.
He said on his Instagram story: “I’m fine, I’m just being checked in at the hospital. CT images are clear.
“Congratulations to Leigh Wood, congratulations to his team, that was the best shot of the night he got with me at the end of the game. But whatever it is, I’ll be back. ”
He added on Twitter: “Definitely want a rematch lol.”
Leigh Wood celebrates victory over Michael Conlan in Nottingham (Zac Goodwin/PA)
Many would welcome a comeback match after a thrilling contest in which Wood, first defended the title he won by stopping Can Xu – also in the 12th round – last July, recovered after being knocked down.
In Conlan, Wood faced a former amateur player who won gold at the World and European Championships as well as an Olympic bronze medalist at London 2012 and who has built a professional resume with 16 wins. from many matches.
Conlan seemed to have a hard time maintaining his impeccable track record in the paid ranks when, after adopting a Southpaw pose early into the match, a left arm swing placed Wood on his back for the last few seconds. end of the opening half.
Wood got to his feet unsteadily and was said to have been saved by the ringing of the bell as a tense fight in front of his hometown fans threatened to turn sour. Conlan, backed by a large moving assist and voiceover in a buzzing atmosphere, seemed too early for Wood, who was defeated in both the second and third innings.
Wood gradually joined the fight and was able to repeatedly tie his foes to his hind legs even when he was vulnerable to Conlan’s left hook, which the challenger used at will to stop the local lad from following. follow him.
Michael Conlan injured after falling from the ring (Zac Goodwin / PA)
There was some incessant exchange in round seven and especially round eight, with both fighters achieving some success although Wood showed signs of turning the tables when he kicked Conlan over the head with a pole kick. strong.
Conlan continued to fight at distance in the ninth and while Wood reacted well in the 10th, it was thought he still needed a big finish. He boosted his hopes in round 11 with a left that caused Conlan to briefly knock Conlan down, whose insistence that he slipped rather than knocked was ignored by Gray when he made the count. eight.
If there was any controversy on the matter, it became a point of contention as Wood ended the show in spectacular fashion, a minute and 25 seconds in the final round. He is one point behind on two of the judges’ cards and three on the other but has scored out of the equation with clinical results.
Years ago having watched Nottingham boxer Carl Froch create some memorable moments at the venue, Wood (now 26-2, 16KOs) can now reflect on his own pivotal achievement – even if he feels he can’t celebrate right away.
“Michael is having a hard time and I hope he’s okay,” Wood said emotionally afterward.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/michael-conlan-all-good-after-falling-out-of-ring-in-loss-to-leigh-wood-41441011.html Michael Conlan ‘all is well’ after falling off the ring during loss to Leigh Wood