Megan Turner
Videos by OutKick
Boxer Michael Conlan was taken to a hospital on Saturday night after a punch from Leigh Wood sent him out of the ring during the brutal knockout loss in the 12th round at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham.
While Wood clinched the victory in the final round in a comeback fashion, ESPN reports his finish was overshadowed by immediate concern for Conlan, who fell backward through the ropes and off the ring apron.
Boxing reporter Nick Peet said Conlan was awake and responsive backstage before Conlan tweeted later Saturday that he was “all good,” and congratulated Wood on the win.
For 33-year-old Wood (26-2, 16 KOs), the late win during the WBA World Featherweight Title fight is the second win to come in a late fashion after he produced an upset to stop China’s Xu Can in the final round last year in his first world title fight, ESPN reports.
“I hit him with everything, but he’s so tough,” Wood said. “I’m just thinking about Mick now. It was a bad knockout.”
ESPN reports Conlan controlled much of the fight and nearly took the title in the opening round — even knocking Wood down in the first round — but Wood recovered and floored Conlan late in the 11th round and resumed his attack in the 12th.
The loss was the first for 30-year-old Conlan, who is now 16-1 (8 KOs). Additional clips of the exchange can be seen below:
Follow Meg Turner on Twitter @Megnturner_ and Instagram @Megnturner
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