Preview: Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington
Two of Britain's best meet in Sheffield as Leigh Wood puts his WBA Featherweight title on the line against former 2-time IBF champ Josh Warrington. The two fighters clash in what's bound to be one of the best domestic matchups in the past decade.
This fight has not been given as much coverage as it deserves, however We Love Sport know a great fight when we see one. A selection of pubs and bars will be showing the fight across the country. The atmosphere of the arena is hard to beat, but our pubs and bars will be a very close second!
The Tale of the Tape
Leigh Wood (27-3) is the current WBA Featherweight Champion from Nottingham who has taken the long way to the top. Wood really began to get recognition in 2021 after he defeated Xu Can and was then scheduled to face unbeaten Irish Olympic Gold Medallist, Michael Conlan. Wood defeated Conlan to earn himself at the top table, where he then got knocked out by Mauricio Lara. Wood then avenged his loss in May of this year to reclaim his featherweight belt.
Leeds's finest boxing son Josh Warrington (31-2-1) is stepping up after losing his IBF Featherweight title vs Luis Alberto Lopez last time out. It's not been the greatest spell for Warrington who's only won 1 of his last 4 fights, knocking out Kiko Martinez. From 2017 to 2019, Warrington was unstoppable. He defeated a host of big names like Carl Frampton, Lee Selby and Kid Galahad. Like Wood, he's fought Mauricio Lara twice. Unlike Wood, Warrington didn't defeat the Mexican. A one-sided clash in the first fight saw Lara shock the world and the second fight ended in a technical draw.
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How will it go down?
Prime Josh Warrington vs Prime Leigh Wood would be a very tough fight to call. That's not the fight we're calling though. Both men have a decent resume, despite their different routes. Wood is 35 and only just really getting his flowers whilst there's a case that Warrington's powers are weaning despite being 32.
It's going to be a very technical fight between two phenomenal fighters. Wood has double the amount of finishes that Warrington has, with a slightly bigger reach. Wood clearly is in the better form and that would make him the favourite.
We Love Sport prediction
As mentioned, it's a tough one to call. Warrington seriously needs to find his old self and fast. Leigh Wood might be older but he's blossomed late. If the Warrington of the past four years turns up, it could be a long night at the office. Likely though, it's going to be a very technical bout with neither men wanting to take a step back. However, if we had to choose, Leigh Wood would be the one to put the money on.
Prediction: Leigh Wood by Unanimous Decision
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We Love Sport x Boxing
Here at We Love Sport, we absolutely love boxing. For every big fight card we do our upmost to make sure We Love Sport pubs and bars are the best place to watch the fight other than in the arena or stadium itself. As these two juggernauts of British boxing collide, join us for the showdown!