In just over 24 hours’ time Nottingham Boxer Leigh Wood will defend his WBO European and Commonwealth titles against Jazza Dickens as both fighters bid to make the final of the Golden Contract at York Hall live on SKY Sports.

A promotional deal worth a six-figure sum is at stake as the final four do battle with the winners of the semi-finals reaching the eliminator in a knockout contest that will provide the best featherweight in the competition with an MTK Contract.

As the Thursday weigh in and face off took place Wood held his two belts on either shoulder as Dickens first stared into his eyes before trying to unsuccessfully grab one from him. In an attempt to unsettle Wood he needn’t have bothered. The 31-year-old has seen it all before coming back with his own punchline.

“He’s ugly so he’s got nothing to lose” said Wood.

The Gedling based boxer has come a long way over the years highly regarded as one of the best lightweights in the country but one humble enough to know he still has a large in future in the ring. “When I turned pro, I said to myself that if you’re going to do this, you’re going to see it out and that’s what I’ve done. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs, a lot of time on the sidelines but I stayed true to myself about what I wanted to do and seen it out.” Wood stated.

“My best years are ahead of me. I feel great. I’m extremely motivated, I couldn’t have wished for things to have worked out any better. A year and a few months ago, I was in a very bad place.”

Wood elaborated that times were tough with things going off in his personal life as well as leaving his long term gym where trainer Brendan Ingle was based.

“A British title had fell through. I’d not boxed in nearly a year. Before that I got injuries; before that there was promises, promises, promises. Think I was 30 at the time and enough was enough. It was really upsetting. I came into the flat that I share with Jordan Gill. I had a tear in my eye. He said go off, have a few days at home and talk to Dave Coldwell and I remember leaving the flat. I was crying, it was a really bad time. All of the stuff in my personal life was worse than this. Everything was spiralling out of control. I was not where I wanted to be in boxing. I’d not got a lot of money and all these things were adding up and I just had to do something about it all. While it was going off I kept training, I talked to Dave and he said I can get you on a show. Then the Commonwealth title fight came and I was buzzing. We went from strength to strength. Sorted things out in my personal life, brick by brick, and we’re in a lot better place.”

Wood who is more positive now than ever before given a new lease of life with an end goal that could bring him World title fights in the future stated “A lot of things have inspired me. A lot of stories inspired me. Stories about hardship and adversity. Things happen consistently but just keep at it and work hard. Instead of looking at all the bad things and bringing yourself down all the time just keep training, focused and working hard and it’ll happen. I do believe that. I don’t believe everything happens for a reason but I do believe that if you’re willing to do what it takes you’ll get there.”

The show tomorrow night is live on Sky Sports Action from 7:30pm.

*Main image @boxingscene Leigh Wood confident ahead of his semi-final fight.