On Saturday night at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, local boxer Leigh Wood (25-2) will defend his WBA featherweight title against Irishman Michael Conlon (18-0) in an enthralling sell-out encounter that pits two of the best in the division against each other.

Wood (33) defends his title in his city for the first time after dramatically stopping China’s Xu Can at the Matchroom HQ but goes up against an unbeaten boxer who now aged 30, also took Olympic bronze in the 2012 London games.

Conlon stated ahead of the fight “I’ve always known this moment would come in my career. I can now show people what I can actually do against these better opponents. It’s great that I’m at this point now, it feels like a long time.”

He respectfully followed “Leigh is a very good fighter, a tough fighter, who has shown his grit in the past and carries a bit of power.

“He’s also a good boxer, he has a lot of good attributes but everything he has I have an answer to. It’s a tough challenge but one I know I’ll overcome.”

On the task in hand, Wood himself has been in relaxed form this week, looking in great condition with plenty of smiles for the public work out on Wednesday with promoter Eddie Hearn stating “Both in great shape. I expect a great fight this Saturday in Nottingham”.

Wood has gone on record to state “I hope Conlon is 100%. I hope he turns up at his best because I want to walk away proud knowing I’ve beaten the best version of him with no excuses.”

With Leo Santa Cruz in either winners sights, a super fight for the super belt ahead could certainly be on the cards, but for now it’s all about a clash of the isles, Britain verses Ireland, England verses the Republic, Nottingham verses Dublin, and a sell out home crowd that will be as partisan as they come, another world title fight in our city which will also be screened through the online broadcasters DAZN.

Despite the interest of Mexican superstar Santa Cruz, Wood says “I am not looking past Conlan. I need to get the win here and look good doing that.” and they’ll be plenty in this city who will be looking forward to that kind of outcome.

The fight will the main bill and star attraction of a fabulous night of boxing, other fights on the menu in Nottingham this Saturday night include Liverpool’s Thomas Whittaker-Hart v Germany’s Simon Krebs, the unbeaten Gary Culley against the experienced Miguel Vazquez, Thomas Carty v Michael Bolz, Caomhin Agyarko against Juan Carlos Rubio  and Sandy Ryan against Erica Farias.

You can watch all the action through DAZN, for more information click here.

*Main image @boxingscene Wood looking confident ahead of Saturday’s title fight.