WBA Featherweight Champion Leigh Wood Braces for a Brutal Battle Against Challenger Josh Warrington at Sheffield Arena
Leigh Wood, the reigning WBA featherweight champion, is steeling himself for an unrestrained battleground, as he takes on the formidable challenger, Josh Warrington, in a major event at Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England, this coming Saturday.
There are doubts swirling around the 35-year-old Wood (27-3, 16 KOs) and his ability to withstand the fiercely aggressive approach and robust physical style offered by Warrington (31-2-1, 8 KOs) without crumbling under the pressure.
In past bouts, Wood has experienced vulnerability: Michael Conlan, despite possessing fewer offensive skills than Warrington, managed to shake him, while Mauricio Lara successfully secured a knockout.
For Wood, this match marks his farewell to fighting at 126, as he intends to ascend to 130 to challenge IBF super featherweight champion Joe Cordina for his title.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter, conveyed that even a victory for Wood means a shift upward in weight for a more lucrative bout against Cordina. Remaining in the featherweight division would necessitate a defence against WBA mandatory Otabek Kholmatov, a formidable opponent whose punching power and combination blows resemble that of Mauricio Lara, signalling a potentially grim outcome for Wood.
Post-Wood’s potential vacancy following Saturday’s result, Hearn plans to serve Raymond Ford to Kholmatov. Should Warrington emerge victorious, his youth and technique suggest he could square off energetically against Kholmatov in future clashes.
“I think ultimately, on Saturday in the early hours, we’ll know what’s next for both guys. I think it’s going to be a classic that could go either way,” commented Eddie Hearn during a media session about the forthcoming face-off between Wood and Warrington.
Hearn further noted to Seconds Out regarding the Wood – Warrington bout, “Both guys really confident. I mean, confident they win the fight by stoppage, and I think it’s impossible for anyone to make a true pick with any real confidence.”
A crucial question looms: has Leigh Wood’s susceptibility, notably in his jaw, been strengthened, or will he succumb to Warrington’s notorious punch output?
Hearn anticipates an electrically charged pace, stating, “I don’t think the fight goes seven or eight rounds. I think the fight will end by stoppage. Both guys can get hurt in the fight, but I think the atmosphere and the occasion, they’re going to go at it from the first bell, and I can’t wait.”
Considering Warrington nearly secured a victory against Luis Alberto Lopez last year by exhausting him in the latter stages of the match, Wood might be in precarious territory, especially against an opponent with a punching ability like Lopez.
Emphasising the must-watch nature of the fight, Hearn added, “Great card as well from top to bottom and, like I said, a true British classic that probably in years gone by… It’s like one you look forward to all year, and now it’s sort of come around amongst a busy schedule of boxing in general, but yeah, this is really one to make sure you keep your eyes on.”
He concluded, “He’s very active. I think he throws a lot of punches, I think he feels that Leigh Wood is slightly fragile, and I think Leigh Wood feels that Warrington is going to walk onto everything, and we know how hard Leigh Wood punches. So I think probably the favourite scenario is a 12-round war.”
Hearn acknowledged the significant standouts both fighters have had, particularly over the recent three years, with Josh Warrington maintaining this performance over an extended period. This Saturday’s showdown promises to deliver an electrifying spectacle as the athletes face this pivotal moment in their respective careers.
