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Gareth Fullerton

Michael Conlan vs Leigh Wood press conference: 10 of the best quotes from Belfast event

If the fight is anything as good as the verbals then boxing fans are in for a treat on March 12.

Michael Conlan got up close and personal with opponent Leigh Wood at two press conferences this week ahead of their world title showdown.

Wood will defend his WBA world featherweight title in his home city of Nottingham, his first defence since beating Can Xu last summer to claim the belt.

For Conlan, it is a first opportunity to win a world title in what will be his 17th fight as a professional.

The pair came face-to-face in Nottingham on Wednesday, and on Thursday it was turn of the Belfast fans to come out and support Conlan at another press conference at the Europa Hotel.

And as you can imagine, it was another feisty affair as the two camps indulged in some verbal sparring, with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn acting as compere.

Wood attended the Belfast media event with trainer Ben Davison, while Conlan had brother and promoter Jamie in his corner.

Here are 10 of the best quotes from the event...

Top 10 quotes

"There was no fear in me (in Nottingham). I came and talked my s*** and said what I had to say. Leigh stutters, he tries to spit things out and doesn't make any sense. I love this. This stuff gets me ready to go. I am ready to fight now." - Michael Conlan on Wednesday's press conference in Wood's home city of Nottingham

"It is going to be so, so, so good when March 12 comes. Sitting at 11 or 12 o'clock at night with the new WBA world featherweight champion and a nice big f*** you to everyone else." - Jamie Conlan March 12 showdown

"This is destiny. Going to your opponent's back yard and becoming a legend and creating a legacy. Ripping the title away from him and his family, his friends, the people he grew up with. It doesn't come much sweeter. And then we will get our own private jet back home." - Jamie Conlan on his brother's 'destiny'

"Nice to have you on DAZN. It's been a long-time coming. Of course we will have you on again (after this fight). We will give you a nice comeback fight..." Eddie Hearn welcomes Conlan to DAZN and jokes his next appearance after Wood will be a comeback fight

"We are working class kids from West Belfast. it is an area which breeds them tough. Every single one of us in this room has that fight that they don't have in places in Nottingham. It's what is in us." - Jamie Conlan on Belfast fighting spirit

"I know exactly what it's like to fight under that pressure at home. I have fought here three times and every one has been massive. I fought in a purpose built arena in Falls Park. This guy hasn't experienced that. He has come here and sat down and been quiet." - Michael Conlan on the pressure of fighting in front of a home crowd

"I believe Ben Davison believes in Leigh Wood's power. Does he believe in anything else? No he f****** doesn't. I have heard conversations he has had with people who I am friends with, and he is slating Michael more than he is bigging up Leigh. He has said not so nice things about my brother and we're here to rip it away from them." - Jamie Conlan on Wood's trainer Ben Davison

"In my opinion I don't think Mick has ever been in a 50-50 fight. This is new to him. I have and I have come out the other side, from a pressure point of view. There will be a lot of pressure and I thrive under pressure. My whole career I have come out the other side." Leigh Wood on handling the pressure

Leigh Wood (INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

"I was so happy when you won the world title. I think you're a great fighter. You punch hard and have good boxing ability. But as I said yesterday, you've got slow feet and curly hair and I'll punch your head off." - Michael Conlan on Leigh Wood's boxing ability

"You weren't even supposed to come here today, Ben. You took the day off being the 'best', 'hardest-working' coach in the world. You came here to hold Leigh's hand." - Michael Conlan on Ben Davison attending today's press conference

"Davey was done. Davey was done. Davey was washed out at that stage of his career. If you had met a young Davey Oliver Joyce he would have taken you to school." - Michael Conlan on Wood beating Davey Oliver Joyce in 2019

"This fight means everything to me. I have taken myself away from both my children. This means everything to me. This is my life. All I know is boxing. And believe me, on March 12 it will be 'and the new!'." Michael Conlan on sacrifices

"Michael just has to prepare to be Michael. Be the best Michael Conlan he can be. The best Michael Conlan beats any featherweight in the world. And I have no doubt in my mind that on March 12 Ireland will have a new world champion and we will be parading the belt in Belfast the next day!" Jamie Conlan on Belfast 'parade'

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