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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Leigh Curtis

Leigh Wood tells Eddie Hearn of Nottingham Forest dream after huge world title win

Leigh Wood has targeted a dream world title defence at Nottingham Forest's City Ground after landing the WBA crown with a sensational performance against Xu Can.

The Gedling featherweight took the defending champion's belt with a devastating stoppage in the 12th round of an absorbing encounter at Matchroom's headquarters in Essex.

Wood floored Can with a crunching right hand and while the Chinese fight beat the 10 count, he had no answer to the subsequent barrage as the referee Marcus McDonnell stepped in.

Wood burst into tears immediately after securing the victory and it has now opened doors to some huge fights in the future in what was a life-changing night.

And the Forest fan is now eager to bring big-time boxing back to Nottingham with the City Ground his dream setting.

"I want the biggest most exciting fight I can get, but I will go away and talk to Ben Davison (trainer) and Eddie Hearn (promoter)," he said.

"There's Kid Galahad and Jazza Dickens next week and Leo Santa Cruz. I told Eddie within 30 seconds that to fight at the City Ground is what I would love to do.

"I am sure he can make it happen, but it all depends. Normally they have a break in the summer and that's when it has to happen, but there are international breaks coming up too.

"We shall have to see. It can't be outside in the winter, but who knows."

Wood now becomes Nottingham's second world champion after Carl Froch, who was on co-commentating duties for BBC Radio Five Live Extra.

And reflecting on what was an emotional night, Wood said it was still sinking in.

"It's a strange one because I think it takes a while before you realise what you've achieved," he said.

"But I knew I was going to do it. My mindset was winning and that was it. I knew what I had to do. I proved where I belong."

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