BoxRec

Press Release

WBA Featherweight Champion targets unification fights

WBA Featherweight World Champion Leigh Wood has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.

Wood (25-2, 15 KOs) stopped Xu Can in the 12th and final round to claim the WBA World Title in a big upset at the top of the bill on the first week of Matchroom Fight Camp in Brentwood, Essex last month.

‘Leigh-thal’ created history by becoming only the second ever boxer from Nottingham to become a World Champion – following in the footsteps of former IBF Super-Middleweight World Champion Carl Froch who was watching on from ringside.

After only competing at British level throughout his career, Wood was thought to be up against it against Can, but it was clear from the opening bell that the powerful Ben Davison-trained puncher belonged on the big stage.

The 33-year-old Dave Coldwell-managed fighter is targeting unification fights in the 126lbs division after joining a thriving stable that boasts newly crowned IBF World Champion Kid Galahad and former World Champion Josh Warrington.

“I’m really excited to be working with Matchroom who in my opinion are leading the way in professional boxing,” said Wood. “I’m confident that they can deliver and help me achieve my dream on the biggest stage in boxing. Winning the WBA Title at Fight Camp was just the beginning for me. I want all of the big fights out there. I said I wanted the Emanuel Navarrete fight because he’s explosive like me, that’ll be absolute fireworks. Let’s unify the division. My best years are definitely ahead of me.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Leigh to the Matchroom Boxing team after his stunning victory at Fight Camp,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “The Featherweight division is on fire right now in the U.K. and there are some huge unification fights out there also. We have the platform to box Leigh anywhere in the world but I’d love to land him a big fight at the City Ground next year.”

“I’m delighted to see Leigh Wood rewarded for his history-making World Title win at Fight Camp with a well-deserved promotional deal with Matchroom Boxing,” said Dave Coldwell. “Leigh is one of the most improved fighters in the UK and has a brilliant team behind him in Ben Davison, Lee Wylie and Barry Smith. To go in at six weeks’ notice and turn in a performance like that shows that he belongs on the biggest stage. This is only the beginning for Leigh as he targets unification fights in the Featherweight division.”

You can follow Wood’s journey on Instagram: itsleighwood and Twitter: itsLeighWood

Hearn will use you in his shows, but then only sign you, if / when you win a world title.

In this case, Wood isn't really a world champion, but to hell with that, he's going to be marketed as one by Matchroom.

WBA jokeshop claim they are merging Interim and Regular which would mean mandating Conlan vs Woods. Xu Can also has a rematch clause.

Wood completely ignoring boxing fans on social media and calling himself a world champ when anyone outside of Nottingham isn’t.
I wanna see him get beat.
Don’t like what I’ve seen since a very good win against Xu Cannot.
Win a genuine world championship against a genuine world quality operator or STFU.

Oh, they always tease a unification. But first, a low level voluntary defence within the promoters stable, then take someone from the #8-15th ranked contenders for a mandatory while all the time calling out the other champions...

I'm good at boxspeak

KiwiRider wrote: ↑17 Aug 2021, 19:56 Oh, they always tease a unification. But first, a low level voluntary defence within the promoters stable, then take someone from the #8-15th ranked contenders for a mandatory while all the time calling out the other champions...

I'm good at boxspeak

Yeh, that’s what they do..

They want unifications, BUT FIRST, a little home town defence, milk it a little..

Dickens wants a rematch with Wood.

The WBA have rejected Leo Santa Cruz’s request to unify against Vargas.

He’s been given 24 hours to decide on whether he’s fighting Wood or not. This isn’t benefitting anyone. LSC hasn’t defended the belt in 3 1/2 years.

maverick23 wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 13:34 The WBA have rejected Leo Santa Cruz’s request to unify against Vargas.

He’s been given 24 hours to decide on whether he’s fighting Wood or not. This isn’t benefitting anyone. LSC hasn’t defended the belt in 3 1/2 years.

That’s good.

Rey Vargas yeh?

Not that it’s not a good fight, but he needs to settle his mandatory.

Wood v Ward would be good

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑29 May 2022, 07:35 Dickens wants a rematch with Wood.

He can wait.

Wood versus No1 ranked Tommy Ward would be a good fight

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 13:51

maverick23 wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 13:34 The WBA have rejected Leo Santa Cruz’s request to unify against Vargas.

He’s been given 24 hours to decide on whether he’s fighting Wood or not. This isn’t benefitting anyone. LSC hasn’t defended the belt in 3 1/2 years.

That’s good.

Rey Vargas yeh?

Not that it’s not a good fight, but he needs to settle his mandatory.

Yeah bud - Ray Vargas. Him and LSC is a good fight, I just hate that he’s kept a world title belt hostage for so long. I don’t like the WBA regular but Wood is one of the few that I genuinely think should be classified as the main champ by the WBA.

Spud wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 13:59 Wood v Ward would be good

Ward has fought too many uninspiring fighters for me to care too much about him. A great record on paper with very little substance.

I’d much rather see Wood vs Warrington.

maverick23 wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 14:04

Spud wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 13:59 Wood v Ward would be good

Ward has fought too many uninspiring fighters for me to care too much about him. A great record on paper with very little substance.

I’d much rather see Wood vs Warrington.

I am a big fan of Tommy Ward but have to admit his recent record of fighting decent opponents is not good.

Whats even more frustrating it seems Probellum fighters are getting shut out and ignored

Spud wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 14:07

maverick23 wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 14:04

Spud wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 13:59 Wood v Ward would be good

Ward has fought too many uninspiring fighters for me to care too much about him. A great record on paper with very little substance.

I’d much rather see Wood vs Warrington.

I am a big fan of Tommy Ward but have to admit his recent record of fighting decent opponents is not good.

Whats even more frustrating it seems Probellum fighters are getting shut out and ignored

I think he’s only fought one fighter that is any good and that’s Jazza Dickens. Has he fought anyone else you could confidently say is top 15 or even top 30 in the world?

Yeah - it’s a shame for the fighters but they went for the money to a brand new promoter so it was always risky.

Spud wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 14:07

maverick23 wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 14:04

Spud wrote: ↑19 Jul 2022, 13:59 Wood v Ward would be good

Ward has fought too many uninspiring fighters for me to care too much about him. A great record on paper with very little substance.

I’d much rather see Wood vs Warrington.

I am a big fan of Tommy Ward but have to admit his recent record of fighting decent opponents is not good.

Whats even more frustrating it seems Probellum fighters are getting shut out and ignored

Just give him the shot, so he can get it over with.