LEIGH Wood will not underestimate the unpredictable but dangerous Michael Ramabeletsa when he returns to the ring in Nottingham next month.
The featherweight faces the South African at Rushcliffe Arena on May 16, the first time he has fought since losing his British bantamweight title fight against Gavin McDonnell in February.
Wood has stepped back up to featherweight for the Ramabeletsa clash which will be fought over eight rounds in order to build ring stamina.
But he accepts his return will be far from a straightforward night admitting his Soweto-born opponent, who has an 11-12 record, has the ability to surprise.
"It will be a tough fight because whatever people think of his record, he is a good boxer and a tough kid," he said.
"Michael proved that against Ryan Doyle who fought him with an unbeaten record, but was lucky to get a decision in the end.
"Apparently, Ramabeletsa got a point deducted for holding which ultimately deprived him of the draw.
"He's only been stopped once which shows how durable and tough he is so I'm under no illusion that it will be a good test.
"But I am ready and waiting, I've been working hard in the gym and I cannot wait to get in there now."
Wood says his decision to step back up to featherweight was influenced by his title defeat to McDonnell who stopped him in the sixth round.
Bantamweight is not Wood's natural division and he said problems with making the weight affected his energy levels although he outboxed McDonnell for five rounds.
Moving back up to feather will mean the 25-year-old will no longer have to deprive his body of fuel just to make the limit.
After admitting how much he was disappointed at losing to McDonnell, he says it was invaluable experience.
"A lot of people who watched the Gavin fight thought I started to tire in round four and five, but the truth was I fatigued as early as the second round," he said.
"I could feel exhaustion creeping in which, that early in the fight, was always going to be a huge problem.
"But that was to do with trying to make weight and depriving my body of fuel. I outboxed Gavin, but credit to him, he got the victory in the end.
"In terms of experience though I learned so much because it was on a big show, in front of a big crowd and it was live on Sky too.
"Going back up to feather is more my natural weight and it will mean more power will come with it too."
Wood's fight against Ramabeletsa will give him the chance to fight in front of his home fans which he is extremely looking forward to.
He was backed by more than 300 fans who travelled to Hull for his clash against McDonnell and says his fight in Nottingham is a way of saying thanks for their backing.
"The support I took that night was unbelievable and even though I could have perhaps taken fights elsewhere I wanted to give my fans a fight where they didn't have to travel far," he said.
"I appreciate it costs a lot of money to travel up and down the country and I just wanted to repay them somehow.
"They always give me terrific backing and I'm sure they will do so again for this fight as well."
Tickets for Wood's fight are available from his sponsor Blue Print Nottingham.
For more information contact them on 0115 9876 111.
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