Leigh Wood is eager to emulate fellow Nottingham fighter Carl Froch by becoming a regular headline attraction in his home city as he prepares to make the first defence of his Commonwealth Featherweight crown against Ryan Doyle at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham this Friday, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Wood, who went to the same school as former Super-Middleweight World Champion Froch, claimed the Commonwealth belt by halting Abraham Osei Bonsu in two rounds in Peterborough and is promising to deliver another explosive performance as he looks to take over from Froch as the flagbearer for boxing in Nottingham.

“It’s not just about defending my belt successfully,” said Wood. “It’s all about putting in a performance worthy of headlining a show in my own city. It’s vital that I impress everyone attending the arena and watching at home if I want to boost my profile. Nottingham hasn’t had a show like this in nearly seven years so this is a huge chance to revitalise boxing in the city and I’m sure myself and the other fighters on the card won’t disappoint.

“Doyle is big for the weight, he’s got the height and range to cause problems. I think he brings the same thing every time but it’s definitely going to be a hard fight and a good test for me. He’s a former champion so it’s another step up from my previous opponent who I beat fairly comfortably. There’s a bit of pressure on him because if he loses against me it’ll be two on the bounce and he’ll have to drop down a level. If I’m at my best, which I will be, he won’t get anywhere near me let alone beat me.”

Nottingham boxing legend Froch announced his retirement from the sport in 2015 after a hugely successful career that saw him crowned World Champion four times. ‘The Cobra’ championed his home city throughout his career and will be remembered as one of its greatest sportsmen; Wood is determined to make Nottingham a regular fixture for Matchroom Boxing once more.

“He was a role model when I was coming through. He was a real inspiration and he still is. Carl achieved massive things for this city and he’s always been someone that I’ve looked up to throughout my own career. We went to the same amateur club, when I was a kid I remember watching him in the gym and he was a machine. He’s from the same little village as me so we’ve got a lot in common. When it comes to our boxing we’re not very similar, we’ve got different styles, but I definitely draw inspiration from him.

“When Froch retired a lot of fight fans had nobody to follow and they’ve been craving someone to support and get behind for a while now. There’s a big opportunity for me to take over as the flagbearer for boxing in my city so a big performance on Friday is vital for me. I love boxing in Nottingham and I would have every fight here if I could! My ticket sales for this fight have been great, they’ve been flying and it’ll be the biggest fanbase I’ve had yet. I need a performance to reflect that.”

The City Ground, home of EFL Championship side Nottingham Forest FC, will host tomorrow’s final press conference ahead of Friday night’s action and ‘Leigh-thal’, a huge Forest fan, would love to go one better by fighting at the home of his beloved club one day.

“I’ve been down Forest since I was a kid and they’ve always backed me heavily. I’ve been on the pitch a few times but to show off my new Commonwealth belt in March was special and I’m grateful for all of their support. I was taken back by the reception I received, there was plenty of chanting and applause.

“I would love to fight at The City Ground but it would have to be a big fight. It could happen, I’ve just got to keep winning, keep looking good and keep on improving. The only thing in my career that I’ve been missing for the past few years is momentum and now I’ve got the momentum I just want to push on.”

Remaining tickets priced £40, £60 and £120 (VIP) are available to purchase from StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk), Motorpoint Arena Nottingham (www.motorpointarenanottingham.com) (Box Office tel: 0843 373 3000) and Matchroom Boxing (www.matchroomboxing.com)

Jordan Gill defends his WBA International Featherweight title against Enrique Tinoco on the same night that Leigh Wood makes the first defence of his Commonwealth Featherweight crown against Ryan Doyle in the latest instalment of the JD NXTGEN series at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on May 10, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.

Chatteris talent Gill (23-0, 7 KOs) broke into the WBA’s top 15 world rankings when he outclassed and stopped Mexico’s Emmanuel Dominguez in 3 rounds to win the International Featherweight strap and is wasting no time as he defends his title against another tough Mexican in Tinoco (17-5-4, 12 KOs).

“Getting out again so soon after my win in Peterborough is great for building the momentum,” said Gill. “I want to stay fresh in everyone’s minds and to keep on building and learning is important. To keep on winning and improving is the main aim and I can’t wait to get out again on May 10.”

“I don’t know too much about my opponent. I know he’s tough and very seasoned, he went the distance with Devin Haney who’s an unbeaten and well-ranked Lightweight. He’s considered one of the best up-and-coming Lightweight prospects in world boxing and if he couldn’t put Tinoco away then I know I’m in for a hard night.”

Wood (21-1, 11 KOs) claimed the Commonwealth belt by halting Abraham Osei Bonsu in two rounds at the East of England Arena in Peterborough last month and jumps straight back into title action against former champion Doyle (17-3-1, 9 KOs) as he looks to cement his name in the Featherweight division.

Doyle stopped Reece Bellotti in 5 epic rounds to claim the Commonwealth title last year before surrendering his title to emerging star Jordan Gill at the Copper Box Arena in October, and the Manchester man is out to recapture his old belt on away soil.

“It feels surreal to be topping such a big show in my home city with Jordan,” said Wood. “I’ve been banging on for a while now about bringing big time boxing back to Nottingham. It’s been seven years since Carl Froch last boxed here so it’s been a long time coming. Being the main flagbearer for boxing in my city is a big honour.

“Although I was happy to win the Commonwealth title it was a fairly easy win for me. I think I need to beat a champion or a former champion to feel worthy of winning the title and I want to be tested as well. It’s going to be a hard fight with Ryan Doyle, he’ll test me and I’m looking forward to it.

“When Froch retired a lot of fight fans had nobody to follow and they’ve been craving someone to support and get behind for a while now. People from Nottingham always get behind one of their own and I’m expecting a huge turnout on May 10 with a lot of noise.”

Unbeaten Wokingham Middleweight Felix Cash (11-0, 7 KOs) produced a stunning display to capture the vacant Commonwealth title in one round against Rasheed Abolaji at The O2 in February and returns to make the first defence of his title as he eyes a shot at the Lonsdale Belt in 2019.

Sheffield’s most successful ever amateur boxer Dalton Smith makes his highly-anticipated professional debut at Super-Lightweight after recently signing a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

Undefeated Ipswich Heavyweight Fabio Wardley (6-0, 5 KOs) is quickly making a name for himself as a force to be reckoned with and the Dillian Whyte-managed powerhouse continues his march up the Heavyweight ladder in Nottingham.

Exciting New Jersey Super-Featherweight prospect Raymond Ford (1-0) fights in the UK for the first time as a professional after getting off to winning ways on his pro debut on the Tevin Farmer vs. Jono Carroll undercard in Philadelphia last month and Denaby Lightweight Terri Harper (6-0, 3 KOs) gets another opportunity on the big stage after winning the WBC International Female Lightweight title in her last fight.

“I’ve been looking to return to Nottingham for years and now we have the perfect chance to do it with Leigh Wood and a great line up of talent,” said Eddie Hearn. “It’s been nearly 7 years since that unforgettable night when Carl Froch dethroned Lucien Bute and we hope we can now put Nottingham back on the map as a more regular stop within the boxing calendar.

“Leigh Wood has always had a strong following and now he holds a notable title he has a chance to cement himself with victory over Manchester’s Ryan Doyle. Jordan Gill has become a standout star and he gets straight back to defending his title while Commonwealth champ Felix Cash also returns.

“Heavyweight prospect Fabio Wardley looks to continue his impressive run, exciting New Jersey Super-Featherweight prospect Raymond Ford fights for the first time in the UK, rising Lightweight talent Terri Harper returns and Sheffield’s most decorated amateur Dalton Smith makes his pro debut.”

John Ryder stopped Andrey Sirotkin in round seven of their scheduled 12-round super middleweight bout at The Copper Box Arena in London.

In round six, Ryder was cut over his left eye.

In round seven, Ryder landed a right to the body that sent Sirotkin down for the count at 2:54.

Ryder is now 27-4 with 15 knockouts. Sirotkin of Russia is 15-1.

Jordan Gill stopped Ryan Doyle in round seven of their 12-round featherweight bout.

In round four, Gill landed a couple thunderous shots that hurt Doyle and made him start to bleed form his nostrils. In round six, Gill landed a big left hook that put Doyle on the canvas.

In round seven, Gill landed a big barrage of punches, and the bout was stopped 1:32.

Gill is 22-0 with six stoppages. Doyle is 17-3-1.

Ted Cheeseman won a 12-round unanimous decision over Asinia Byfield in a super welterweight clash.

In round five, Cheeseman dropped Byfield with a shirt right hand.

In round seven, Cheeseman started to bleed from his nose and also from around his left eye.

It was an exciting fight down the stretch, and Cheeseman won by scores of 117-110 and 117-111 twice.

Cheeseman is 15-0. Byfield is 14-2.

Isaac Chamberlain won a decision over Luke Watkins in a cruiserweight bout.

A huge combination from Chamberlain put Watkins down on his knee.

That was the difference as Chamberlain won by a 95-94 score, and is now 10-1. Watkins is 13-2.

Felix Cash won a 10-round unanimous decision over Stephen Danyo in a super middleweihght bout

In round three, Cash was cut over his right eye, but Cash was the more active fighter throughout the contest.

Cash won on all cards by 100-90 scores, and is now 10-0. Danyo is 14-2-3.