Leigh Wood will defend his WBA World Featherweight title against domestic rival, Josh Warrington, on October 7 at the Utilita Arena, Sheffield.
The fight was made possible by a recent WBA ruling that allowed the champion to put his mandatory, Othabek Kholmatov, on hold with the condition that the winner of this bout would face the Uzbekistan fighter within 120 days.
Wood’s career has seen a spectacular resurgence over the last few years, beginning with a statement stoppage of Can Xu to win the Regular belt.
He starred in one of the best fights of 2022 against Mick Conlan, and was then promoted to full champion before losing the title to Mauricio Lara. He would go onto avenge that loss against the hard-hitting Mexican in May of this year.
Warrington is a two-time champion in the division, but finds himself challenger here since losing his IBF belt to Luis Alberto Lopez in December of last year.
He believes he’ll become three-time come fight night.
“It doesn’t get much better than a domestic dust up for a World Title! I’m obsessed in becoming a three-weight World Champion, to get back on top and that is going to show on the night.
I will bring an army of fans to Sheffield and the atmosphere will be special. Leigh has had a good run and put some good wins together but I just don’t believe he can live with me. I hope he thinks my best days are behind me, on October 7 he’ll find out. AND THE NEW!”
Wood, though, is looking for a fairytale final chapter – and that involves beating Warrington.
“In terms of the followings we’ve got, the football clubs and the cities, this is arguably the biggest British rivalry in the sport. For me, it doesn’t really get any bigger. Our styles will gel and that should make for a very exciting and entertaining fight. It should go down in British history.
This is one that I need to win, so I can look back on with pride and soak up all the good memories. This is a must-win, for sure.”