Leigh Wood produces thrilling upset over Xu Can, scores 12th-round stoppage

ESSEX, England – Leigh Wooden slayed “The Monster”.

The Nottingham man, a hefty pre-fight underdog in opposition to The Ring’s No. 3 featherweight Xu Can, produced the efficiency of his life to stun after which knockout the scary Beijing man, stopping him with 17 seconds remaining within the Twelfth spherical.

Wooden was excellent.

He tried to work the physique within the first spherical, absolutely making a concerted effort to decelerate the inevitable cost from Can.

Can began the second rapidly however a Wooden uppercut and subsequent physique assault had the person from China masking up. In direction of the top of the spherical, Wooden landed a clear proper and one other downstairs, too.

Can was taking loads on the gloves however Wooden landed two extra rights and one other uppercut within the third, all of the whereas nonetheless investing to the physique.

Wooden was wanting sharp, Can was his persistent self however his output was drastically decreased. Then the Nottingham challenger caught the attention with a proper uppercut-left hook that jolted Can’s head again.

The same old avalanche of leather-based from Can was not forthcoming. Wooden was protecting him sincere along with his energy and accuracy and he saved him guessing along with his selection, too.

Can didn’t appear to have the solutions and his shorts had been being dyed along with his personal blood.

Can would rating with occasional pictures however Wooden was boxing with swagger and rising confidence. He switched southpaw to open the eighth and landed some thumping pictures in that session with little coming again in reply.

Can landed a flashy proper on the opening of the tenth however Wooden rode it and, later within the spherical whereas within the southpaw stance, the Nottingham man pounded house a proper hand-left hook.

Wooden was outboxing him in each stances and he scored effectively with a volley of pictures in the midst of the eleventh.

“Don’t grow to be predictable,” urged coach Ben Davison within the nook.

Leigh clumsily took an enormous proper on the bell however he’d received one other spherical by that time and simply wanted to remain on his toes to spring the upset.

Can’s face was swelling by the top and Wooden scored with each palms round Can’s gloves earlier than dropping him with a proper hook. Can stood again up however Leigh piled in behind each palms and referee Marcus McDonnell waved it off with Can below fireplace.

Can hadn’t misplaced since 2014 and he’d received his final 15. Wooden, the British champion, is now 25-2 (15 knockouts) and has an early birthday current. He turns 33 tomorrow.

“I solely had six weeks’ discover for that struggle however I stay the lifetime of an expert fighter,” stated Wooden.

Eddie Hearn known as it an “unimaginable efficiency” and stated the stoppage was “an actual assertion” and he felt Can hadn’t received greater than three rounds. “Leigh can return an actual hero,” stated Hearn. “He’s modified his life and it’s an excellent story for British boxing.”