Leigh Wood Bounced Back To Grab Comeback Fighter Award
Two-time WBA featherweight champion Leigh “Leigh-thal” Wood (28-3, 17KO) had a rocky start in 2023. Yet, his victories over Mauricio Lara and Josh “The Leeds Warrior” Warrington earned him 3Kings Boxing Comeback Fighter Of The Year Honors.
A LOOK BACK
In February 2023, Wood suffered a debilitating loss to Lara (26-3-1, 19KO). He was wining the fight before getting knockdown which later resulted in the corner stopping the fight.
Leigh-thal, determined not to let this be the end of his career, fought a more controlled and disciplined fight in the rematch. He easily won the fight with his superior boxing skills and cruised to a unanimous decision to become a two-time champion.
In October 2023, Wood defended the title in a huge domestic showdown against two-time IBF champion, Warrington (31-3-1, 3KO). In an arena filled with loud screaming fans, the two fighters engaged in battle.
MORE THINGS ON THE HORIZON
Wood started on the receiving end of a beating as Warrington was clicking on all cylinders. In what looked as if he was going to lose the title, Leigh-thal landed a combination of thunderous shots that put his opponent on the canvas.
The crowd erupted when the referee waved off the fight after a dazed Warrington arose to his feet. It was perhaps the biggest victory of his career since upsetting Can Xu to win the title in 2021.
The 35 year old is looking to test the waters at junior lightweight after vacating the title. With a number four ranking by the WBA, he could be fighting for a title sometime in 2024.
