LEIGH WOOD was being “conclusively beaten” by Josh Warrington before landing a career-saving punch from the Gods.
Wood in October 2023.
Leigh Wood scored a sensational seventh-round stoppage of Josh Warrington in their grudge match in October 2023Credit: Getty
Warrington had won the previous four rounds before the stoppageCredit: RICHARD PELHAM
The Nottingham native started the contest well, but Warrington took over in rounds three, four, five and six.
Warrington’s good work, however, would all be for nothing as he’d get put down by a flurry of shots late in the seventh after being rocked by a huge right hook.
Wood is adamant the punch, which described as a “lucky shot”, didn’t save his bacon.
But ahead of their rematch on Saturday night, his Nottingham pal and fellow former world champion has claimed otherwise.
During the latest episode of SunSport’s No Glove Lost, ‘The Cobra’ said: “It looked like Leigh Wood dominated him for seven rounds and then just finished him off, caught him on the way down and wrote him off.
“But, for seven rounds, Leigh was getting outboxed, conclusively beaten.
“On my scorecards it was hard to give Leigh a round.
“I try to be unbiased but Leigh is from Nottingham and he is a friend of mine and I wanted him to get the job done.
Wood vs Warrington 2 - all the info
Nottingham hosts a massive rematch!
LEIGH WOOD and will square off again in a rematch of one of the best fights of 2023.
On that night in Sheffield the two scrappers put on a fight of the year contender.
Warrington had won every round and was ahead on the scorecards before Wood – with a huge cut over his eye – .
There’s no world title on the line this time but two of the most popular and storied British fighters of the century strap up their gloves in what is expected to be a barnburner.
A raucous Nottingham Arena will host and there has been plenty of needle in the build-up.
The show has a packed undercard with Ishmael Davis meeting Bilal Fawaz for the British title and Sandy Ryan – continuing her rebuild after two tough defeats to Mikaela Mayer – fighting for the vacant WBC super-lightweight title.
The ever-popular is also back in the ring after his defeat to Tyson Fury’s next opponent Arslanbek Makmudov, while 19-year-old heavyweight prospect Leo Atang is returning after just three weeks off.
Former UFC star ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann is also looking to make it 3-0 in he pro boxing career.
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“I have nothing against Josh, I am impartial to the rematch but my heart is with Leigh Wood.
“But Leigh was getting beat, well beaten.”
Warrington attributed referee Michael Alexander’s decision to deduct a point for repeated rabbit punches to him losing his head and, ultimately, the fight.
But Froch insists: “That was silly and not a great excuse, because he was so far ahead – even with a point deducted.
“But it was in his head, he did try to make it right, and he got caught with a sweet shot.
“Leigh can really punch, as we saw in the last seconds of the Mick Conlan fight, where he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
“Leigh does what he does and, when he lands a shot, he is a great finisher.”
Carl Froch (left) fears for Leigh Wood ahead of the fightCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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