Olympian Michael Conlan is ready for his big moment.

The Irish star is eager to step in the ring for his mandatory fight against WBA "regular" featherweight champion Leigh Wood.

Conlan indicates that his world title challenge has been set down for March 12 at the Nottingham Arena.

“We're going into the lion's den: March 12 at the Nottingham Arena,” said Conlan to Irish News.

“Wood didn't fancy Belfast and [his trainer] Ben Davison didn't fancy Belfast, so we'll bring Belfast to them. I'm happily going to their town and I'll be ripping the belt off them.”

Conlan is not concerned about going for the title in enemy territory.

“I'd be a fool if I worried about that. It doesn't bother me where it is because I'm going to win, I know the decision in the ring will be the same – I'll be walking out victorious with my hand raised. I'll punch the head off him for 12 rounds if needs be – that's just the way the cookie's gonna crumble. I'm happy and I'm ready to rock – I'm looking forward to it.

“I'll probably have more people in the arena than Leigh Wood. Everybody loves an away-day, it's the third month of the year and I could see a lot of people travelling over. I think they'll have a great night.

Wood believes his power will be the difference in the fight.

He has 15 knockouts in 27 fights - with Conlan having 8 knockouts in 16.

In six of his last seven fights, Wood has stopped his opponents inside the distance - including a knockout of Xu Can back in July.

“The only thing he has more than I have is his knockout ratio – he has a bigger knockout ratio. He's a bigger puncher but that's not to say I'm not a puncher. It's not something that bothers me or that I'm worried about, I know I have a good chin and I know I have much more boxing ability and a better engine. I'm better than Leigh Wood at everything, he only has one thing – on paper – better than me," Conlan said.

“But everybody who said I wasn't a puncher in the past changed their tune when they got hit by me. I might not be the biggest puncher in the world but I have enough power to hit people and hurt them and keep them away from me. Nobody likes standing in front of me, TJ [Doheny] didn't either. At the press conference he was saying I couldn't crack an egg but I had him on the canvas."