Wood Outpoints Warrington in Rematch
Leigh Wood secured a comfortable unanimous decision victory over Josh Warrington in their highly anticipated rematch at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena, marking his second win against the British rival. Wood controlled the pace throughout the 12-round contest, leaving Warrington frustrated and unable to mount an effective offense.
The judges scored the bout 119-109, 119-109, and 117-111 in favor of Wood, who dictated the fight from start to finish. Warrington struggled to find his rhythm and was largely flat-footed, unable to land significant punches against the home favorite.
"It's my fifth defeat," Warrington said. "Before I'd come into here, I'd been beaten four times and they [fans] back me through thick and thin. They are the best supporters in the world and they follow their own through thick and thin.
"I'm not going to make no rash decisions. With that being said, I can't keep coming out here - when people are spending their hard-earned money - and not giving it absolutely everything.
"I tried my best. I wanted it bad. I wanted it so bad."
He added: "I couldn't do any more. My head has been a bit all over the place. When I came in here tonight, I was thinking about it a little bit too much and you can't do that in the sport of boxing."
The 35-year-old Warrington, known as the 'Leeds Warrior,' is a two-time featherweight world champion and a prominent figure in British boxing. Wood, aged 37 and also a former featherweight world champion, improved his record to 29 wins and four losses. Wood hinted that this fight could be his last.
"I'm not too sure yet. I'm not going to make a decision on the spot. But what a fight to finish on if it is the last one," Wood said.
Warrington Off the Pace as Wood Cruises to Win
In their initial encounter in Sheffield earlier in 2023, Warrington had been in control until Wood delivered a decisive punch in the seventh round that ended the fight. The rivalry intensified leading up to the rematch, reflected in the charged atmosphere of the sold-out 8,000-capacity arena. Both fighters entered to songs representing their football clubs, with Warrington walking out to the Leeds United anthem "Marching On Together" and his signature Kaiser Chiefs' "I Predict a Riot." However, the home crowd's volume surpassed the visitors' as Wood appeared wearing sunglasses, soaking in the moment to Nottingham Forest's "Mull of Kintyre."
Wood edged a scrappy first round, with Warrington responding with a sharp right hook and straight right in the second round. The home crowd sang "Leigh Wood is one of our own" as Wood settled into a southpaw rhythm, slowing the pace and picking shots from range. He landed a crisp combination in the fifth round before Warrington drew blood from Wood's nose with a single right punch.
Both fighters had suffered defeats to Anthony Cacace since their first meeting, adding significance to this bout as a potential last opportunity. Despite Warrington's father and trainer Sean O'Hagan urging him to "give them something to sing about" and predicting Wood would tire, it was Warrington who appeared the more fatigued former champion.
Wood, often keeping his hands low and inviting pressure, was not capitalized on by Warrington. The fight lost momentum, and the lull in action was felt by the audience. By the championship rounds, Warrington seemed to require a knockdown to change the fight's course, but none materialized. By the final bell, the tension had dissipated and Wood's victory felt inevitable.
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Warrington made his professional debut in 2009, while Wood began his career in 2011.
The rematch lacked the drama of their first encounter, instead raising the question of which fighter had more left in their career. The build-up to the fight was intensely personal, with Warrington describing Wood as a "slimy character" and Wood calling Warrington "horrible." Warrington likened Wood to a journeyman, while Wood branded Warrington an area-level fighter.
Regardless of the animosity, both fighters can be celebrated for their achievements and status in British boxing. A fight at the City Ground, Nottingham Forest's home stadium, was a dream for Wood, but at this stage in his career, it seems unlikely to happen.
"If it's the right person, it's something I'd probably struggle to turn down," Wood said.
Should Wood retire, he will leave behind a legacy as a resilient, powerful, and entertaining fighter with memorable performances, especially in his hometown where he is regarded as a legend.
For Warrington, this fight appears to be the final chapter of his career. Having debuted in 2009, he established himself on the global stage with notable victories over Lee Selby and Carl Frampton. After briefly retiring in 2024, the allure of major fights brought him back. Following this defeat, the fighter who once drove around Leeds in a rickety car selling tickets can depart the sport knowing he gave it his all.
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