Leigh Wood v Michael Conlan predictions and boxing betting tips

Free boxing tips, best bets and analysis for Leigh Wood v Michael Conlan at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on Saturday.

Where to watch

DAZN, from 7pm

Best bet

Leigh Wood
1pt 13-8 bet365

Match preview

Michael Conlan and Leigh Wood face off for the WBA featherweight title in Nottingham on Saturday night and it is a pivotal fight in the careers of both fighters.

The unbeaten Conlan is well known for his amateur exploits and suffered a controversial defeat in the quarter-finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics. And while he brings an 16-0 professional record to the ring on Saturday, the Irishman has struggled to establish himself as a box-office, top-level fighter since entering the pro ranks.

The 30-year-old needs to win in Nottingham to make good on the promise of his amateur days.

Standing in his way is hometown hero Wood, who is looking to follow up a career highlight victory over Xu Can in July last year. Wood was the underdog for that title fight but produced a strong performance, knocking out the Chinese fighter in the 12th round.

That was a big step up on what Wood had previously shown, but it may be the case that he is simply getting better with age and at the prices he is worth backing to repeat the trick against Conlan.

Southpaw Conlan is an awkward opponent and will probably look to gain the upper hand early on, but Wood’s power advantage could tell as the bout develops.

Up-and-coming Irish lightweight Gary Cully takes on Mexican veteran Miguel Vasquez on the Nottingham undercard, while former super-featherweight world champion Terri Harper will be looking to bounce back from her defeat to Alycia Baumgardner against Yamila Belen Abellaneda.

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