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Gareth Fullerton

Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan rematch hint as Eddie Hearn assesses options

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn isn't ruling out the possibility of a Michael Conlan vs Leigh Wood rematch this summer.

The pair served up a thriller in Nottingham two weeks ago, with Wood coming from behind on the judges' scorecards to stop Conlan in the final round.

The Belfast challenger was knocked unconscious through the ropes as Wood defended his WBA World featherweight title at the Motorpoint Arena.

Read more: Michael Conlan 'had no memory' of devastating final-round knockout

It was a brutal ending to a fight-of-the-year contender, and fight fans are now demanding a rematch.

And legendary promoter Hearn believes a summer repeat "might be the biggest fight" out there for champion Wood.

“The rematch might be the biggest fight. It was an epic fight, but he has got options now," Hearn told Boxingscene.

"Generally, you get the opportunity to do it in July, which gives him another three or four weeks off. He has had two, is that enough? If you want to do it, you can't wait until next year, this is his window.

"He needs to be ready for the back end of the summer if he is going to box at the City Ground.”

Hearn added: “All Leigh Wood wants to do is fight at the City Ground.

“So, what are the fights? Kiko Martinez? Maybe. Josh Warrington? Absolutely, although he might want it at Elland Road, so it is a toss-up. Michael Conlan rematch? Absolutely. Santa Cruz? Yes. He has got options."

WBA champ Wood admits it would be a "dream" to fight at the City Ground, the home of Nottingham Forest.

And he believes the atmosphere would top the crescendo of noise that greeted his ring walk at the Motorpoint Arena two weeks ago.

"It has always been the dream to fight there. I told everybody that I was going to make it happen and Eddie Hearn had promised me that if I won the fight then it would", Wood said

"I can't wait. The Forest fans who turned out last night were incredible. When I came out to Mull of Kintyre to hear them singing they lifted me up and picked me up to another level.

"It was unreal and I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who came to support me."

Conlan was taken to hospital after being stretchered out of the Motorpoint Arena following his knockout defeat.

But after receiving the all-clear the West Belfast boxer immediately called for a rematch.

He said the day after the fight: "I want a rematch. I think the performance, with me leading on the cards, deserves a rematch.

"I think I've slept an hour. I've been on my phone looking at things. I've been off social media so I was seeing everything and there was loads of positive stuff.

"At the same time, I lost. I hate losing. It's the worst feeling in the world for me."

Read more: Michael Conlan and Leigh Wood reunited after epic world title fight

Read more: Michael Conlan issues message to fans after brutal final-round knockout

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