Leigh Wood makes Michael Conlan world title vow and the power of Nottingham Forest is behind him

Since punching a hole through the defences of the fearsome Can Xu last summer, Leigh Wood has enjoyed some significant perks that come attached to being a world champion.

There have been the sponsorship deals, there has been punditry work and there have also been private jets with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn to press conferences.

And yet it is not just the humble featherweight from Gedling who has benefited from what has been a remarkable ascension to the global stage.

"Sometimes my mates will try to book a late table at a restaurant and they can't get one so they will drop me a message," he laughs.

"I've been able to get them in so that's one advantage. You get a bit of clout don't you in that respect. But it's only been in Nottingham so far. I've not been able to do it global yet.

"I'll help them, but I keep my feet on the ground. I have not changed from my early days and I am still the same person with the same morals.

"I am who I am. No amount of money in the world will ever change me. The only thing that has changed is that I am being recognised a lot more."

Should he win his world-title showdown against the sharp-mouthed and fast-punching Michael Conlan on Saturday night, Wood can expect more restaurants to keep their tables free.

The much-anticipated battle has sold out the Motorpoint Arena 10 years after Carl Froch basked in the glory of a career-defining battering of Lucian Bute.

That night put Froch on a pathway to the biggest fight of his career when 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium watched him destroy George Groves for the second time in what was a landmark occasion for British boxing.

Should Wood defend his WBA crown, similar riches lay in wait with the carrot of a world title fight at Nottingham Forest's