Leigh Wood signs new promotional deal with Matchroom after upsetting Xu Can

Leigh Wood has parlayed an upset victory over previously undefeated Xu Can into a new, multi-fight promotional agreement with Matchroom Boxing. Wood comprehensively outboxed Can over eleven rounds before knocking him out in the final stanza.

This announcement follows last week’s signing of Kid Galahad, the new IBF featherweight champion, and indicates an interest on Matchroom’s part to bolster their roster at this weight. Wood joins a cohort under the promotional banner that includes Galahad, Jordan Gill, and the recently de-throned IBF champ Josh Warrington.

“I’m really excited to be working with Matchroom who in my opinion are leading the way in professional boxing” said Wood. “I’m confident that they can deliver and help me achieve my dream on the biggest stage in boxing. Winning the WBA Title at Fight Camp was just the beginning for me. I want all of the big fights out there. I said I wanted the Emanuel Navarrete fight because he’s explosive like me, that’ll be absolute fireworks. Let’s unify the division. My best years are definitely ahead of me.”

It should be clarified that Wood did not in fact win the WBA title, as it is currently held by Leo Santa Cruz, despite the American not having competed at that weight since February 2019.

“I’m delighted to welcome Leigh to the Matchroom Boxing team after his stunning victory at Fight Camp,” said Eddie Hearn. “The Featherweight division is on fire right now in the U.K. and there are some huge unification fights out there also.”