Eddie Hearn has spoken out about a possible fight between Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington, and insists a meeting between the pair is still a real possibility despite Warrington’s recent defeat to Luis Alberto Lopez.
Warrington lost his IBF world title to Lopez in front of a devastated Leeds crowd, the unorthodox Mexican proving too tricky for Warrington in the early stages and getting a majority decision win on the judges’ scorecards in a very close contest.
However, Hearn told IFL TV that a huge all British clash with Wood for the WBA world featherweight title could still be on the cards for Warrington, provided the Nottingham man gets past Mauricio Lara in the new year.
“I don’t think a lot’s changed [for Josh Warrington]. Before the Lopez fight, it was either fight Leigh Wood, or fight in America. Obviously now he has to do it without a belt, which makes it a little bit more difficult.”
“We’re trying to lock in Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara, which is a tremendous fight which we’d love to make, and I think the winner of that can fight Josh Warrington. It won’t be a unification, but not a great deal changes for Josh Warrington in that respect.”
Wood had been scheduled to face Lara earlier this Nottingham, however was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a bicep injury, but talks are ongoing for a rescheduled date of late January or early February.
The 34 year old was elevated to WBA Super champion after Leo Santa Cruz vacated the belt, after having not defended it for close to three yers.
A fight between Warrington and Wood would likely take place at either the City Ground in Nottingham or Elland Road in Leeds, with both men considered very strong ticket sellers.
Should Lara beat Wood, then fans may be looking at a grudge match between him and Warrington. The Mexican upset the odds with a stoppage victory in their first fight, and their second was cut short due to a nasty clash of heads. Both mean have expressed an interest in settling the score.