Michael Conlan 'ready to go' ahead of world title encounter

Michael Conlan is expecting to become Ireland's next boxing world champion as he takes on defending WBA featherweight belt holder Leigh Wood tonight.

Six years on from his controversial exit at the Rio Olympics in 2016, Conlan has been working his way up through the professional ranks and will now get the chance to fight for his first world title in Nottingham.

Unbeaten in 16 professional fights, Conlan defeated former world champion and compatriot TJ Donehy in Belfast last August, and now travels to England to attempt to take the title from local hero Wood.

The fight will take place at a sold out Nottingham Arena for Wood's first defence of the title that he won last July, when he stopped champion Can Xu in the final round.

But Conlan believes that he is ready to go and is coming into the fight brimming with confidence, with no concerns about fighting as the away boxer, knowing that he will have a large travelling Irish support throughout the arena.

"I'm ready to go, my confidence comes from preparation and my preparation has been fantastic," said Conlan, who is represented by MTK – a sports management company linked to Daniel Kinahan.

"I'm very confident and very relaxed, we’re here in Nottingham and it’s time to go, there’s not much more to say other than I really can’t wait for Saturday night.

"I know what kind of performance is coming on Saturday night, this is the most relaxed and calm I’ve ever been in a fight week.

"I don’t feel any pressure, I’m here in the opponents back garden and I’ve got to rip the belt off him. Everyone’s here to see him, I’ve got fans coming in the thousands already so it’s nothing new.

"I’m just here to do a job, I hope Leigh has had a fantastic training camp, I hope he’s the best Leigh Wood