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'Horrific to see': Boxing world in shock over 'sickening' incident

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
Leigh Wood, pictured here knocking Michael Conlon out of the ring.
Leigh Wood knocked Michael Conlon out of the ring in distressing scenes. Image: Getty/DAZN

The boxing world was left in shock on Saturday when British boxer Leigh Wood knocked an unconscious Michael Conlan out of the ring in their WBA featherweight title fight.

Conlan was rushed to hospital after a brutal 12th-round knockout sent him tumbling out of the ring through the ropes in Nottingham, England.

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Conlon appeared to be asleep on his feet after a right-hand from Wood, who continued to throw punches as his opponent slumped to the ground and then fell out of the ring.

Speaking with DAZN Boxing after the fight, defending champion Wood said the victory was sweet but his thoughts were with the man he shared a ring with for more than half an hour.

"I hope Michael's alright," he said of his Irish opponent.

"I can't really celebrate yet until I know he's alright โ€“ my thoughts are with him at the minute.

โ€œHe is so tough and it was a bad knockout so I just want to see he is all right.โ€

Conlon looked on course to dethrone the 33-year-old champion after knocking him down at the end of the first round.

Wood was able to get back to his feet and fought bravely for the remainder of the main-event contest, but Olympic bronze medalist Conlan appeared to be heading towards a points victory.

The bout then ended in disturbing scenes as wild celebrations turned into muted ones, as paramedics treated Conlan at ringside and fitted the previously unbeaten fighter with an oxygen mask.

Conlan was taken to hospital in an ambulance, with Frank Smith โ€“ CEO of promotion Matchroom Boxing โ€“ confirming that the 30-year-old was โ€œconscious and stableโ€.

Michael Conlan, pictured here falling out of the ring after being knocked out by Leigh Wood.
Michael Conlan falls out of the ring after being knocked out by Leigh Wood. (Photo by Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images)

Boxing world in shock over 'horrific' scenes

Conlan was up 104-103 on two judges' cards and 105-102 on the other, but couldnโ€™t make it to the finish line.

He fought brilliantly for most of the night, but as promoter Eddie Hearn said, Wood delivered one of the most breathtaking comebacks in recent boxing history.

โ€œWe should be celebrating one of the greatest comebacks Iโ€™ve seen in a ring,โ€ Hearn said.

โ€œBut of course, all weโ€™re doing is praying for Michael Conlan. It was right above us. He took him out. He fell through the ropes.

Leigh Wood, pictured here celebrating as onlookers rush to help Michael Conlan.
Leigh Wood celebrates as onlookers rush to help Michael Conlan. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)

"The fight was over and it was just the most brave, courageous fight back from Leigh Wood.

โ€œHe got taken out in the first round. He couldnโ€™t find his legs for four or five rounds.

"I thought it was a master class from Michael Conlan through the middle stages and even the back stages of the fight.

"Leigh was coming on in the 11th and if Iโ€™m honest, I couldnโ€™t really see a way that he could turn that fight around.

"To win that fight by knockout is one of the best comebacks in a fight.โ€

with agencies

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