In a movie-like finish, Wood knocks out Conlan

English fighter Leigh Wood (26-2-0, 16 KO’s) knocked out Irishman Michael Conlan (16-1-0, 8 KO’s) in the 12th round of a fight that has already been postulated as a candidate for Fight of the Year and retained his “regular” featherweight title of the World Boxing Association (WBA).

With a Hollywood movie ending, Wood managed to come back from what seemed like an imminent defeat. He first scored a knockdown in the 11th round and completed his comeback by knocking out Conlan in the final round.

For Wood this was his first successful defense of his belt and his third consecutive victory.

Conlan, the challenger, had to be taken to the hospital after falling out of the ring at England’s Nottingham Arena, where he was conscious and stable, according to a spokesman for Matchroom, which promoted the fight.

The Irishman appeared headed for victory after sending Wood to the canvas in the first round and hammering him with his left jab throughout the fight. His precision punching tipped the scales and on several occasions put the champion in bad conditions.

However, in the championship rounds, he got the strategy wrong and got into a short distance fight that sapped his strength and was the beginning of the end.

For Wood, 33, it was another late, dramatic victory after he produced an upset to stop China’s Xu Can in the final round last year in his first world title fight.

“I hit him with everything, but he’s so tough,” Wood said. “I’m just thinking about Mick now. It was an ugly knockout.”

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn echoed Wood’s concern for Conlan.

“We should be celebrating one of the best knockouts I’ve ever seen, but our thoughts are with Michael right now,” Hearn said.

This loss for Conlan, a two-time Olympian, is the first in his professional career and came in his first opportunity in a headlining bout.