Warrington Motivated to Prove Himself Against Leigh Wood
The level of urgency is high for Josh “The Leeds Warrior” Warrington (31-2-1, 8 KOs) ahead of his October 7 battle in Sheffield, England, against the reigning WBA featherweight champion, Leigh Wood (27-3, 16 KOs). Understanding the upcoming assignment, Warrington plans to bring the pain to Wood and win impressively.
Warrington is a two-time IBF featherweight champion. For several years, he’s been one of the best fighters at 126 pounds. But in his last outing, he lost the IBF title by a majority decision to Luis Alberto Lopez in December 2022. Having lost three of his previous four fights, some in the boxing community have suggested that the now 32-year-old has lost his edge and has not been the same a stunning ninth-round stoppage loss to Mauricio Lara in February 2021.
READY TO PROVE FOLKS WRONG
The Leeds Warrior insists he still has the fire and will prove it against Wood. During a Matchroom Boxing series Face-Off, Warrington said that he plans to use the doubts from others as fuel on fight night.
“I still feel like I’m in my prime. I’m feeling on the top of my game right now . . . I’ve been an underdog since I came on the scene. But there’s something about when you tell me I can’t do it. There’s something about it that just gives me a little spark . . . It’s gonna make it that much sweeter when my arm’s raised (in victory) on October 7.”
ARE THE STATS DECEIVING?
Wood is an excellent boxer with power in both hands. But he’s also a fighter who has been down numerous times.
If you look at Warrington’s resume, one would think he’s not much of a puncher. But the pride of Leeds, England believes his power is slept on. He feels that he has the chance to hurt and stop the current WBA champion.
“I don’t have as many knockouts on my record as Leigh does. But then again, most of my knockouts have come on the championship level, fights where they’ve mattered . . . I can stop Leigh. The last few fights he’s been put on his backside, and why can’t I do that?”
If styles make fights, viewers should be in for an entertaining scrap. Warrington thinks that at the end of the day, he will win and become a three-time featherweight champion.
