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Wood outpoints Warrington in rematch lacking spark

Leigh Wood (right) stopped Josh Warrington in their first fight in 2023 [Getty Images]

Home favourite Leigh Wood comfortably outpointed Josh Warrington in their grudge rematch at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena, securing a second victory over his British rival.

Wood dictated the tempo across 12 rounds against a frustrated, flat-footed Warrington.

He struggled to get his shots away as Wood cruised to a unanimous decision win with scores of 119-109, 119-109 and 117-111.

Warrington said he would not "rush" any decision but suggested he may hang up the gloves after a fifth loss in 38 bouts.

"It's my fifth defeat," said Warrington. "Before I'd come into here, I'd been beaten four times and they [fans] back me through thick and thin. They are the best supporters in the world and they follow their own through thick and thin.

"I'm not going to make no rash decisions. With that being said, I can't keep coming out here - when people are spending their hard-earned money - and not giving it absolutely everything.

"I tried my best. I wanted it bad. I wanted it so bad."

He added: "I couldn't do any more. My head has been a bit all over the place. When I came in here tonight, I was thinking about it a little bit too much and you can't do that in the sport of boxing."

The 35-year-old 'Leeds Warrior' is a two-time featherweight world champion and stalwart of British boxing.

Wood, 37, is also a former featherweight world champion. He improves to 29 wins with four defeats and hinted this could be his last fight.

"I'm not too sure yet. I'm not going to make a decision on the spot. But what a fight to finish on if it is the last one," he said.

Warrington off the pace as Wood cruises to win

Leigh Wood punches Josh Warrington in the face
Wood (right) landed almost double the amount of punches as Warrington [PA Media]

Their first fight in Sheffield had Warrington comfortably in control until a decisive Wood punch in the seventh round ended the contest.

The rivalry had only deepened since, reflected in the charged atmosphere of the sell-out 8,000-capacity arena as the football-loving fighters entered to songs of their respective clubs.

Warrington walked out to the Leeds United anthem Marching On Together, which segued into his trademark Kaiser Chiefs' I Predict a Riot, but the travelling noise was outdone by the home crowd when Wood - wearing sunglasses and soaking in the moment - emerged to Nottingham Forest's Mull of Kintyre.

Wood edged a scrappy first round. Warrington responded with a sharp right hook and straight right in the second.

The home crowd sang "Leigh Wood is one of our own", as their man settled into a southpaw rhythm, slowing the pace and picking shots from range.

He landed a crisp combination in the fifth before Warrington drew blood from Wood's nose with a single right.

Both men had lost to Anthony Cacace since their first fight, raising the stakes for what felt like a last roll of the dice. Yet it was Warrington who looked the more faded former champion.

"Give them something to sing about," urged his father and trainer Sean O'Hagan, predicting Wood would tire.

Instead, the bout drifted. Wood, hands low, invited pressure but Warrington could not capitalise. The lull in action seeped into the stands.

By the championship rounds, Warrington appeared to need a knockdown, but there was little sign of one coming.

By the final bell, the tension had evaporated and the outcome felt inevitable.

Is this the end of British boxing stalwarts?

Josh Warrington and Leigh Wood hug
Warrington made his professional debut in 2009, while Wood made his bow in 2011 [Getty Images]

The sequel lacked the drama of their first fight. Instead, it became a question of who had more left in the tank.

The build-up to the rematch was intensely personal. Warrington described Wood as a "slimy character", while Wood called Warrington "horrible".

Warrington likened his rival to a journeyman, and Wood fired back, branding him an area-level fighter.

How much of it was talk and how much genuine animosity matters little now - both can be celebrated for their achievements and standing in British boxing.

A fight at the City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest, was always Wood's dream, but at this stage of his career it seems unlikely to come to fruition.

"If it's the right person, it's something I'd probably struggle to turn down," he said.

Should he retire, he leaves a legacy as a resilient, powerful and entertaining fighter with memorable nights to his name. He will go down as a legend in his city.

For Warrington, this appears to be the final chapter. He debuted in 2009 and cemented his place on the global stage with high-profile victories over the likes of Lee Selby and Carl Frampton.

Having briefly retired in 2024, the lure of the big nights brought him back. But after this defeat, the fighter who once drove around Leeds in his rickety car trying to sell tickets can leave knowing he gave the sport everything he had.

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