Leigh Wood bounces back from early knockdown to defeat Michael Conlan

Leigh Wood recovered from an early knockdown to retain his WBA featherweight title with a remarkable 12th-round stoppage of Michael Conlan after a ferocious battle at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena.

But Wood rallied and was starting to find some success as the bout wore on, evening the knockdowns in the 11th – despite Conlan’s protestations of a slip – before delivering a stunning finish in the final round.

A bruising right hand seemed to buckle Conlan before Wood unloaded with a further flurry to back up his opponent, who tumbled between the ropes and what looked a nasty looking fall.

Raucous celebrations at a dramatic and conclusive finish became muted when it became apparent Conlan was hurt following his tumble from the ring. He was treated to by medics and left the arena on a stretcher.