Leigh Wood has the potential to be Nottingham's next big boxing hero as he prepares for the biggest night of his life.
That is the verdict of broadcaster and boxing enthusiast Darren Fletcher, who is hoping Wood can win his Commonwealth featherweight title defence against Ryan Doyle at the Motorpoint Arena tonight.
Boxing in the city has dropped out of the wider public conscience since Carl Froch's retirement, but Fletcher feels Wood has the potential to help put Nottingham back on the map with tonight's Matchroom show being broadcast on Sky Sports.
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"I'd love to think we're set for a new age of Nottingham boxing. In Leigh Wood we have a fighter who can grab the public imagination," Fletcher said.
"It will be hard to follow Carl Froch, but he has a connection with the people that mean he can be a hero people gravitate towards.
"I look at some of the clubs and gyms and Nottingham is made to be a big boxing hub.
"There's a lot of good people here who are wonderful at what they do. A big performance from Leigh tonight can help put Nottingham back on the map as a boxing city."
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The BT Sport and BBC Five Live broadcaster feels the hometown venue will be a major advantage for Wood, as Fletcher recalled the atmosphere in the arena when Froch beat Lucian Bute in 2012.
"People forget Nottingham is such a great boxing city. It's got great history and the arena is perfect," Fletcher said.
"You can talk about the atmosphere at Anfield this week, but Froch v Bute takes some beating.
"That was like a bear pit that night. It was raw passion."
