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Leigh Wood elevates game to defeat Xu Can for boxing title

By Jeremy Herriges

BRENTWOOD, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Can Xu and Leigh Wood face off at the Matchroom Fight Camp weigh in on July 30, 2021 in Brentwood, England. (Photo by Leigh Dawney/Getty Images)
BRENTWOOD, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Can Xu and Leigh Wood face off at the Matchroom Fight Camp weigh in on July 30, 2021 in Brentwood, England. (Photo by Leigh Dawney/Getty Images) /
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Leigh Wood put in the best boxing performance of his life as he stopped Xu Can in round 12 to become the WBA “regular” featherweight champion.

A little over a year ago, featherweight boxer Leigh Wood dropped a close majority decision to British countryman Jazz Dickens. On Saturday, July 31, he earned the WBA “regular” featherweight title by stopping Xu Can in round 12.

Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) has always been a power puncher, but he proved to have world-class power when he knocked down, and TKO’d Can in round 12. Wood won the majority of the fight, but several boxing pundits, including DAZN’s Andy Lee, had the fight even going into the final round.

Wood refused the leave the fight in the judges’ hands.

Before fighting Wood at Matchroom’s Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex, U.K., Can hadn’t fought for 20 months. He’s known for his incredible work rate, but Wood’s skills and power slowed Can’s output.

Leigh Wood defied the odds to stop Xu Can and is likely on the hunt for more featherweight belts

Can (18-3,3 KOs) still threw a total of 897 punches, according to CompuBox, but Wood outdid him by throwing 935. Wood also connected on 14 more punches, but his shots clearly made the bigger impact all night long.

Every time Wood landed a punch, you could hear the thud of his glove smacking against skin. Can had his moments, but he never hurt Wood.

The 27-year-old Can had youth on his side, but the Wood proved to be in his prime at 32 years old.

Sensing he was down on the judges’ scorecards, Can grew more aggressive in the 12th and final round. That proved to be a mistake as Wood dropped him with a right hand. Can got to his feet but was mauled by Wood. Can failed to retaliate, and the referee stopped the fight.

During fight week, Wood discussed his power with FanSided, saying that he should have more KOs on his record, but he held back in some of his early fights to get in rounds of experience. His power definitely showed against Can. Wood is an immediate threat to all the current featherweight titleholders.

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Xu Can vs. Leigh Wood took place on Saturday, July 31, from the Matchroom Fight Camp, in Brentwood, Essex, United Kingdom. Follow along with FanSided for all your live news and highlights.

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