Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington | DAZN - 7 October 2023

[1111814]

Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington targeting October 7 date at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield according to NoSmokeSport.

https://nosmokesport.com/boxing/leigh-w ... ton-oct-7/

[1111814]

Doesn't say whether it's for the title or not*

[Ruthless-RKO]

Doesn't say whether it's for the title or not*

Which is very strange.

[1111814]

Maybe they haven't decided yet. I think they'll want it to be for the title but Kholmatov doesn't seem like he's stepping a side from the quotes in that story

[jameswilson]

Looking forward to this one. Nowt wrong with the fight at all.

[gregregegg]

I like the fight… but at the same time, fornicate josh Warrington, if he head buts like normal
He should be dq’d

[margaret thatcher]

i want wood to win, then we get a fresh unification fight with lopez

[veriton]

Should be at the City Ground. Sheffield Arena too small and Wood is the A side

[Ruthless-RKO]

Should be at the City Ground. Sheffield Arena too small and Wood is the A side

Probably rain.. sack these stadium fights. Getting sick of them to be honest.

[maverick23]

Should be at the City Ground. Sheffield Arena too small and Wood is the A side

They couldn’t get the grounds team to allow it as they’ve just had a new pitch put it in. Shame.

[mickey1975]

Should be at the City Ground. Sheffield Arena too small and Wood is the A side

Woods support wasn't very impressive against Lara in the rematch.

[maverick23]

Should be at the City Ground. Sheffield Arena too small and Wood is the A side

Woods support wasn't very impressive against Lara in the rematch.

I think promoters need to be far more sensible. Wood’s clearly got a fan base in Nottingham and I’d imagine the bulk of them, probably like the bulk of Warrington’s supporters, are casual fans wanting to support the hometown boy.

When you add in a potential hotel, train ticket etc and losing a chunk of time the following day, particularly in today’s climate where financially times are tough for a lot people, it makes no sense to put fights on away from people’s known followings.

Matchroom should be less focused on fights on a specific date I think.

[Manchester Hitman]

Sheffield arena is a much more sensible option then say the MEN.
Wood - Lara 2 was dead and looked liked there was only about 5k in the arena.

I’m tired of Warrington - hope Wood wins impressively and it’s the end of the Billy Goat

[tonyevs]

Will make a good bruiser of a fight - Woods doesn't have the skills to nullify the dirty tactics Josh will no doubt bring .. so another battle of attrition for Woods.

Good 50/50 fight I recon

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBA have approved this.

Winner has to fight Otabek Kholmatov..

[Ruthless-RKO]

WOOD CAN DELAY MANDATORY TO FIGHT WARRINGTON

The WBA, through its championships committee, approved a special permit requested by Matchroom Boxing for WBA featherweight champ Leigh Wood (pictured) to fight Josh Warrington. Wood just regained the 126-pound crown in a rematch against Mauricio Lara last May and has a mandatory fight with Othabek Kholmatov. However, the champion’s team requested special permission from the WBA to make an optional fight against Warrington, a former IBF champion who is very popular but coming off a loss to Lara. After a review of the case and under various internal rules, the body decided to approve the fight on the condition that the winner, or Wood in case of a draw, will fight Kholmatov no later than 120 days after the bout.

Rule C.16 states that the WBA may modify the periods of mandatory defenses for good cause, either in response to a Special Permit application, or on its own initiative. For its part, the agency may modify or suspend the strict application of these rules when it deems justified in its sole discretion to accommodate special circumstances, as Rule C.46 states. While rule C.47 allows special permits to be granted under specific conditions, as has been the case. While the Wood-Warrington bout is taking place, Kholmatov will be allowed to make an optional fight against an opponent approved by the championship committee. Any problems or situations that arise in the course of the case will be resolved under WBA rules.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[MasterG]

Doesn't say whether it's for the title or not*

Which is very strange.

According to what I've read it says defending WBA belt

[Ruthless-RKO]

Doesn't say whether it's for the title or not*

Which is very strange.

According to what I've read it says defending WBA belt

Poster says it too.

wba allowing the defence.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Press Release

Leigh Wood will defend his WBA Featherweight World Title against Josh Warrington in a huge domestic clash on neutral ground at the Utilita Arena Sheffield on Saturday October 7th, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

Nottingham favourite Wood (27-3, 16 KOs) produced a 12-round masterclass against Mexico's hard-hitting dangerman Mauricio Lara to reclaim his WBA 126lbs crown last time out in May at Manchester's AO Arena to become Britain's latest two-time World Champion.

'Leigh-thal' lost his World Title after being stopped in the seventh round by knockout artist 'Bronco' at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham earlier this year, but the 34-year-old Gedling warrior showed his courage by evoking an immediate rematch.

Lara had no answer to Wood's superior skillset on the night, with the Ben Davison-trained fighter executing a brilliant disciplined display that saw him collect a landslide points win with scores in his favour of 118-109 x 2 and 116-111.

Leeds hero Warrington (31-2-1, 8 KOs) is aiming to become a three-time Featherweight World Champion after surrendering his IBF belt to Mexico's Luis Alberto Lopez following a close points loss at the First Direct Arena last December - his first defeat in his home city.

'The Leeds Warrior' regained the IBF strap when he stopped Kiko Martinez in his Leeds fortress in March 2022, flooring the Spaniard in the opening round before ending matters in the seventh round to punctuate a blistering performance in front of his adoring fans.

The former two-time IBF king, who has been out of action since his loss to Lopez, is eager to return to the top of the division and knows that a win over his British rival will put him in pole position for a unification rematch with Lopez - who recently KO'd Michael Conlan in five rounds.

"I'm extremely excited for October 7," said Wood. "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.

"Josh has some great wins on his record and is obviously a two-time World Champion, but this is a fight that he cannot lose. He's never really been in a boring fight - but neither have I. This fight will be all-action and the fans should be in for a great night.

"I know it will be quite hostile with both sets of fans battling it out vocally, but it should make for a great night. 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."

"This is a big fight," said Warrington. "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!"

"This is a huge all-British World Title clash between two of the best Featherweights on the planet," said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. "Nottingham hero Leigh Wood defends his WBA Featherweight crown against 'The Leeds Warrior' Josh Warrington after brilliantly reclaiming it against Maurcio Lara in May. It doesn't get much bigger than this! Both men will be backed by their fanatical supporters for what will be one of the best ever atmospheres at a boxing event.

"Josh Warrington is desperate to be crowned a three-time World Champion after losing his IBF belt last December. Leigh Wood has plans to unify the 126lbs and will give everything he has to keep hold of his belt. Expect fireworks from the opening bell as these two all-action warriors go head to head in a Battle of Britain. Catch it live around the world on DAZN!"

"A massive fight to add to our autumn schedule," said JosephMarkowski, CEO North America, DAZN Group. "Leigh wood vs. Josh Warrington for the WBA Featherweight World Title is an absolute barnstormer - a domestic scrap between two brilliant, aggressive fighters that will deliver from the first bell. Tune in live and exclusive October 7 only on DAZN."

[Noxy]

This is f***ing brilliant! This is going to be a proper scrap. I think Wood takes it.

[jameswilson]

As I said earlier. Sod all wrong with this fight.

People saying it should be at a football stadium. Guaranteed if they did that people would be screaming how slow tickets sold or posting photos of the ticket master map.

It’s been a hell of a long time since I saw a fight at the Sheffield arena that I thought could pack it out, even Kell Brooks fights there I don’t think sold out.

I’d much rather see a sold out Sheffield arena than one of those half baked stadium jobs.

[veriton]

Fair point. Sheffield Arena will be rocking for this. Brilliant fight and not ppv either so good all round

[maninthemiddle]

Be interesting how they “segregate” the arena as this is bizarrely often overlooked in boxing events. Not easy to do as boxers unlike football clubs don’t have membership schemes which play a major role in controlling segregation and crowd control…Could be problems here….

[mickey1975]

Be interesting how they “segregate” the arena as this is bizarrely often overlooked in boxing events. Not easy to do as boxers unlike football clubs don’t have membership schemes which play a major role in controlling segregation and crowd control…Could be problems here….

They did for Wood v Conlon. This is much higher risk. Leeds are hated by Sheffield Wednesday as well.