Leigh Wood is to show off his WBA featherweight title belt at Nottingham Forest's FA Cup clash with Liverpool this weekend, Nottingham's own world champ has announced.
Wood, 33, successfully fought off Irishman Michael Conlan last Saturday night at the Motorpoint Arena to keep hold of his WBA featherweight title. Despite a stumble in the early rounds, Wood fought back against his challenger and landed a powerful strike in the 12th round to knock-out Conlan and send him out crashing out of the ring - fortunately, he has fully recovered.
To celebrate retaining his title, Wood says he is set to make an appearance at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon. He is likely to display his featherweight title belt to supporters before the Reds take on Liverpool in an exciting FA Cup clash.
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Responding to a Forest fan who asked whether Wood would be appearing at the Reds' league match against QPR on Wednesday night or "saving himself for Sunday", the world champion said: "On a plane to Dubai to watch @ShabazMasoud fight. But back at the ground Sunday! Bringing the belt."
The Gedling-born boxer first claimed the world title when he beat the Chinese boxer Xu Can back in July 2021. Now, having retained his title, the hope is that Wood will be granted his wish of a fight at the City Ground.
Reflecting on an incredible night, the emotional 33-year-old and huge Reds fan said: "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.
"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."
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Promoter Eddie Hearn also confirmed that a date at Forest's stadium will happen for Wood. He said: "If Leigh Wood fights in Nottingham again it will only be at the City Ground.
"That has been his dream for a long time. If it's Vegas for the Leo Santa Cruz fight we'll see. But for a long time, Leigh Wood has been scrimping around for no money. He has been on the road but in the last year or so he's started making money.
"He made a lot of money this time and he is going to make a load of money in the next fight. He's dedicated his whole life to the sport. You saw what he went through. He deserves everything he gets. We will make sure it is a massive fight wherever it is."
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