Absolutely awesome fight, Conlan really pulled the best out of Wood and vice versa, both guys gave their absolute all in there. I'm a new fan of both and will be tuning in to whatever they do next!
Great analysis Rummy, I had Wood down by at least 5 points early but I saw something around the 6th round that made me say, this fights not over. Wood was still taking some leather but he was handling it much better and I thought he's manned up and turned this into a brawl . Conlan was still fighting , and well at times but I thought Wood was imposing his will on him. I was worried about Conlan's health after he went down as the punch that ko'ed him didn't appear as devastating as it's effect and the broadcast must have been worried also as they didn't show a replay of the ko. Wood has put himself in position for some big money fights now, Conlan? he had better be matched slowly and with caution going forward in the short term, that was the kind of beating that could change a career trajectory. No way would I have him in a immediate rematch.
Nah, Mick will be 31 before this year is over. Go hard or go home, no sense in treading water in bouts that will do nothing for him. After five years of being matched slowly, his performance this past weekend showed that the big nights bring the best out of him, winning acclaim from some who'd previously doubted he had that kind of display in him. He got hurt in an exchange of fire late in a round and knocked out in the next, it happens. Prior to that, he was still getting the best of a lot of the action. A good rest, then straight back into the fire. That's the best route, in this case.
He just didn't lose, or suffer a quick ko, he took a beating in the second half of that fight and was knocked unconscious. Very often you see fighters who are never the same after that, Mugabi, and Davey Moore come to mind. To go right back into a rematch could end his career. Take a very winnable tune up as Wood will be offered a big money fight in the meantime and be guaranteed a shot at the winner. That would be the route that exposes your fighter to less risk and greater reward
Saw this video earlier today. As usual, great review. Both guys need rest, maybe 6 months off. IMO Lara would KO Wood.
This is the part I take issue with. Michael was dishing a lot of the beating in the second half, Wood appeared wounded more often, even in the latter six rounds. Overly close official scorecards aside, this fight didn't exactly follow the typical pattern of a guy getting off to a fast start then being steamrolled in the deep waters. Even the 11th was a round Conlan was winning until its very final seconds. And others come back bright. At thirty-something, with limited prime remaining, better to roll the dice. A confidence-booster or tune-up prior to a rematch is a reasonable suggestion, I don't take issue with it. Your previous post seemed to indicate a much slower rebuild for a fighter in his thirties.
Agree with this. Nothing wrong with a 30 year old at the lighter weights going back into the fire. Conlan wants it and, as he should, believes he can adjust and win. Even though he got KO'd he may have taken less damage overall in the fight. These guys should rest up and do it again in 6 months.
