Eddie Hearn Says Leigh Wood Will Jump To Super Featherweight
One of the more entertaining and exciting fighters in boxing is the reigning WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood (28-3, 17 KOs). He plans to continue his career in a new division, as Wood will move up to junior lightweight.
MOVING ONWARD AND UPWARD
Wood was the talk of the sport with his dramatic, come-from-behind seventh-round stoppage over Josh Warrington on October 7. Following the fight, the promoter of Wood, Eddie Hearn, spoke to the British Media outlet Boxing Social and disclosed what’s in the cards for the current WBA champion.
“One hundred percent, Leigh Wood will vacate the (WBA featherweight) belt on Monday (October 9) . . . I think now, even if it’s a catchweight, it’s moving to super feather.
It’s been too difficult for him . . . When you’ve been a career featherweight, it’s very difficult to make weight.”
POTENTIAL OPPONENTS
Hearn said he wants to stage Wood’s next match at City Ground in his hometown of Nottingham, England. The promoter said he’s contemplating Wood fighting a rematch with Warrington or junior lightweight title fights with either IBF champion Joe Cordina or WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete.
From a business perspective, Cordina makes the most sense. Hearn is the promoter for both Cordina and Wood. Hearing what Hearn had to say, the IBF champion posted the following message on social media:
Cordina has an upcoming title defense against mandatory challenger Edward Vazquez on November 4. The 130-pounder has been clamoring for a high-profile, big-money fight.
A title defense against Wood is a big event in England. Cordina versus Wood is a significant fight in Great Britain that would mean a sizable payday for all involved. Should Cordina get past Vazquez, you would think he would be more than willing to take on Wood.
The fact that Hearn mentioned a possible fight between Wood and Cordina means he’s cooking up something behind the scenes. If both men continue to win, all signs are that they two could meet at some time in 2024.
