Leigh Wood in line to headline City Ground after thrilling title defence

A fight at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground beckons for Leigh Wood, who has set his sights on unifying the featherweight division after an extraordinary win over Michael Conlan.

Wood started life as a professional at Clifton Leisure Centre in October 2011 and has appeared on small-hall shows, but he topped the bill at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on Saturday night in the first defence of his WBA title.

It seemed set to be a short reign as Wood was put flat on his back by an overhand left in the final few seconds of the opening round and while he rose on shaky legs, he was largely outclassed for the first half of the fight.

But he gradually gained a foothold and after evening up the knockdowns in the 11th despite protestations of a slip from Conlan which fell on deaf ears, Wood spectacularly ended proceedings midway through a dramatic last round.

Trailing on all three scorecards, Wood caught his rival flush on the temple with a straight right that left Conlan, arms by his sides, motionless on the ropes before he fell through them after a furious flurry from the local lad.

Referee Steve Gray immediately waved off the fight but Wood’s euphoria quickly turned to worry as Conlan’s tumble to the floor outside the ring led to him being taken out of the arena on a stretcher before he was transported to hospital.

Conlan issued a reassuring update on his condition via social media in the early hours of Sunday morning but Wood was still visibly shaken by what had occurred in their fight of the year contender.

“It’s hard to celebrate when it finished like that,” said Wood (now 26-2, 16KOs). “I just gave it everything. I haven’t got quit in me, whether it’s round one or 12, not for one second.

“It’s been some journey to get to here