Xu Can vs Leigh Wood Prediction, Odds, Picks

• Can Xu makes the latest defence of his WBA world featherweight title
• The champion from China has lost two of 20 fights
• Leigh Wood stopped the previously unbeaten Reece Mould last time

China’s Can Xu makes the latest defense of his WBA world featherweight title when defending against England’s Leigh Wood. This clash headlines an action-packed bill promoted by British boxing supremo Eddie Hearn for his world-famous Matchroom Sports brand. The team is eager to treat fans to a memorable evening, and they certainly appear to have all the ingredients. We have a fight worthy of the main event.

The Matchroom Fight Camp (otherwise known as the grounds of Hearn’s mansion) in Essex provides a stunning backdrop for what promises to be a thrilling night of professional boxing. With COVID restrictions on large public gatherings recently scrapped by the UK government in Westminster, a sell-out crowd will be in attendance while millions more watch worldwide, thanks to the live TV action on DAZN.

We preview the headliner, betting odds, and cast our predictions.

Xu Can vs Leigh Wood Odds

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Xu Can vs Leigh Wood Picks

Xu Can to win (-340).

How to Watch Xu Can vs Leigh Wood

Xu Can vs Leigh Wood Predictions

Can Eager to Win New Fans

Xu makes his British debut looking to defend his world championship while winning over new fans. The fighting pride of Beijing arrives in Essex with a professional record detailing 18 wins against two defeats since debuting in his home nation back in 2013.

It’s plain to see he hasn’t been the most active fighter over the past eight years, but he has been effective, climbing the ranks and moving into contention for major honors.

Can knew his shot at glory would come if he kept up his strong form, and he knew he had to be ready to grab that opportunity with both hands when it finally presented itself.

He did just that in January 2019 when beating Puerto Rican Jesus M Rojas on points over the championship distance in Texas. That win came as an upset to many followers of the noble art, with Xu stealing the show on the undercard of Jaime Munguia’s points win over Japan’s Takeshi Inoue for the WBO super welterweight world belt.

The champion known as Monster may have two losses on his CV, but each of those defeats came in the first five outings of his career. He learned from the losses and improved. Can is unbeaten in seven years.

That winning run is impressive, but when preparing to submit your predictions on this bout, it’s important to know Xu has scored only three stoppages, resulting in a lowly 15% knockout average.

He’s more a stylish boxer than a big hitter, and although you won’t see this champion on too many highlight reels, he has proven he can rise to the occasion and get the job done on the big stage.

An interesting footnote to this fight is Can Xu was previously expected to face Englishman Josh Warrington in a unification bout.

The Leeds Warrior then lost to Mauricio Lara by ninth-round stoppage at Wembley Arena in February and will face the big-punching Mexican in a rematch later this summer at Headingley Rugby League Stadium, Leeds.

If Warrington can grab his revenge and win that fight, it will set him back on a collision course with Xu before the end of the year, a fight that would be easier to sell if the Chinese champion defends his belt and impresses the UK crowd this weekend.

This bout is expected to follow in line with the champion’s form, and he looks good enough to win the fight. Those after a bigger price may want to take a chance on him winning on points, impressing the scoring judges sitting at ringside.

Wood Hoping to Pull off a Shock Result

The champion isn’t the only man in the ring, of course, and although he is an outsider with the bookies, challenger Wood is hoping to pull off a shock result.

The 26-year-old Briton brings a record of 24-2-0 with 14 knockouts, making him the bigger puncher of the two in the ring on fight night.

Lethal Lee is currently ranked fifth in Great Britain and 14th in the world, making this shot at major honors surprising to most followers of the division.

Is Wood in over his head at this level? We’ll find out this weekend when the Nottinghamshire fighter steps up to the plate.

This is just another defense for a champion who may be looking forward to future unification bouts. But for the challenger, it’s the biggest night of his career.

It’s a night he has dreamt of his entire life and will continue to dream of writing his name into the boxing history books.

Wood will be backed by a large crowd made up almost entirely of British boxing fans who will plan to cheer their man on to victory.

If Wood was to shock the division and win this bout, he could see himself involved in a money-spinning defense against former world champion Warrington in a winner-takes-all British showdown before Christmas at a major venue. There’s all to play for in the challenger’s camp, and that will be the driving force behind his preparation.