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Michael Conlan 'very relaxed' as mind games commence ahead of Leigh Wood clash

Michael Conlan

Michael Conlan maybe the challenger but the bookmakers have him as the favourite to beat IBF world featherweight champion Leigh Wood.

Michael Conlan is raring to go and believes the pressure is all on Leigh Wood as the latter makes the first defence of his WBA featherweight title this weekend.

The Belfast fighter's camp are bringing with them an underdog's mentality, but they are convinced that unbeaten Conlan can deliver the perfect performance in Nottingham on Saturday night.

Wood shocked the division last summer with a surprise win over China's Xu Can.

The 33-year-old Wood stepped in with just six weeks' notice, but dominated his younger rival to take the IBF crown and earn the biggest victory of his career.

Conlan's last fight came in August in Belfast when he impressed to claim a unanimous points victory over TJ Doheny.
Conlan bossed the fight and forced Doheny to take an eight count in round five.
Saturday's contest will be a step up for Conlan, but the bookies have him as the 8/15 favourite, with Wood an 13/8 chance.
Still, Conlan says the pressure is on the champion, fighting in his own backyard.
"I'm ready to go, my confidence comes from preparation and my preparation has been fantastic. I'm very confident and very relaxed, we're here in Nottingham and it's time to go, there's not much more to say other than I really can't wait for Saturday night," Conlan said at Thursday's press conference.
"I know what kind of performance is coming on Saturday night, this is the most relaxed and calm I've ever been in a fight week.
"I don't feel any pressure, I'm here in the opponent's back garden and I've got to rip the belt off him. Everyone's here to see him, I've got fans coming in the thousands already so it's nothing new.

"I'm just here to do a job, I hope Leigh has had a fantastic training camp, I hope he's the best Leigh Wood there's ever been because I believe I will be. It'll make it all the sweeter when I beat him.

"I'm just expecting a fantastic performance by myself."

'I fully expect Michael to be world champion'

Conlan's older brother Jamie also believes Michael is in the right frame of mind to take home the belt.
"We came here six weeks ago full of confidence, we've come here today even more confident. Confident in the preparation that was put in over the last eight week, confident in the mindset that he's brought into this fight and the mental attitude that he's put into the camp and the challenges he's faced in camp," said Conlan Snr.
"We've come here to upset the applecart and spoil your boy's party - send the Irish home happy.
"I fully expect Michael to become world champion on Saturday. Regarding favourites and underdogs, we have no real thought on that. We've come in as the B side fighter and underdog mentality but we're fully confident we'll become world champion.
"I truly believe this is his destiny, Leigh Wood is just an obstacle in his way that we must overcome. This is Michael Conlan's party, this is the one he's coming to take home, and this is the one that the fans will be able to sing about and tell each other about in bars for years to come.

"I think that's something that Leigh's going to have to deal with, the mental stress he's going to be under, I saw it last night when he was doing his workout.

"There's going to be mental pressure on him more so than on Michael, Michael has dealt with mental pressure throughout his career. He was thrown into the spotlight from day one, Leigh has done it when no one was watching, he won the world title in front of 25 people in your [Eddie] back garden.
"This is the big time, this is going to be where everyone is pressuring him, expecting him to win - in his hometown as the favourite."

Read more: Ben Davison makes bold Leigh Wood statement ahead of '50-50' title fight

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