Boxing
Leigh Wood: Now I want to fight the champions
Watch Leigh Wood's title win on DAZN
New WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood wants to follow up his title win with more high-profile fights.
Wood defeated Can Xu on Saturday night as he headlined the year’s first Matchroom Fight Camp, shown on DAZN.
Speaking after the fight, the 33-year-old - then 32 - praised his trainer Ben Davison for the improvement that he had coached.
“Since I’ve been with Ben [Davison], not even a year yet, it’s completely changed me as a fighter. Credit to him and the rest of the guys,” he began.
Wood explained the focus that gave him the victory, with the Briton far from the favourite.
“I had a lot more gears but he’s a very good fighter. I had to dig deep, very tough. We knew he was there to be hit, it was about discipline. Not getting carried away,” he said.
“Everyone said there was no way I was going to beat him on points. Not only did I nearly beat him on points. I stopped him in the vital championship rounds in a hard fight.
“I’m going to enjoy this moment. It’s my birthday in an hour, so big celebrations.”
He then suggested that at 33 he would need to grasp the opportunity for more title fights.
“I only had six weeks' notice for that fight. Luckily, I live the life of a professional fighter, I managed to get to where I needed to get to in six weeks. With 12 weeks I believe I’d have even more gears for a performance,” he claimed.
“I really want to test myself and mix it with other champions now. I’m 33 in an hour
No time to mess about. Let’s get some big fights. I want the biggest fights.”
