It’s fight week, and we have a WBA featherweight title fight live on DAZN in the afternoon for us in the States. The champion Leigh Wood (27-3, 16 KOs) will defend his title against Josh Warrington (31-2-1, 8 KOs) in an all-British showdown. Although Warrington hasn’t merited a title shot, he somehow finds a way to get positioned for one after losing to Luis Alberto Lopez (26-2, 16 KOs) in December. What will happen on Saturday when Wood meets Warrington for the WBA strap?
CAN LEIGH WOOD CAPITALIZE OFF THE THINGS HE DID RIGHT IN HIS LAST FIGHT?
The Champion ππ @itsLeighWood #WoodWarrington pic.twitter.com/1CLJcCD2mo
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 4, 2023
Watching Wood interact with the boxing media at the BWAA (Boxing Writers Association of America) Awards dinner earlier this year, you can tell that he learned his lesson with the first Lara fight. He knew what he did wrong and made it right by getting his title back a few months later. His demeanor was calm, and he answered any questions thrown at him. This is Wood both in and out of the ring, making him the champion he is today.
He will need to keep that chill aura on Saturday night as Warrington is going to pull out his bag of tricks to frustrate Wood. The 35-year-old Wood will stick to his game plan and work toward another victory by keeping Warrington outside the midrange and not letting him work inside. Wood cannot allow himself to get sucked into a firefight, which got him in trouble during the first Lara fight.
IS JOSH WARRINGTON DONE, OR DOES HE HAVE ONE MORE GREAT FIGHT IN HIM?
Three-time πππ @J_Warrington #WoodWarrington pic.twitter.com/rDNPpY5fTz
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 4, 2023
Warrington must have dirt on commission folks and Eddie Hearn as he continues to get opportunities that most wouldn’t. Warrington lost to Lopez in December by majority decision, and at 32, he looks more of a fighter past his prime than the older Wood. This looks to be Warrington’s last shot at a title, and he must make everything of it.
For Warrington to win, he will have to make it as ugly as his other wins. His style isn’t pretty, but it has gotten the job done and led him to a world title. His low knockout rate suggests a knockout isn’t likely, but in boxing, you never know. Warrington can only score a stoppage through a cut, which is always possible when he is fighting.
LEIGH WOOD VS. JOSH WARRINGTON PREDICTION
Leigh Wood knows what it feels like to be embarrassed and face an opponent unprepared for what they have to offer. Wood will be more than ready for Warrington on Saturday night and will weather the Warrington rabbit punches to a unanimous decision victory.
LEIGH WOOD VS. JOSH WARRINGTON BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, Leigh Wood is the favorite at -185 (Under 10 ½ rounds +220), and Josh Warrington is the underdog at +155 (Over 10 ½ rounds -280).
Leigh Wood: TKO/KO +260; Decision -110
Draw: +1400
Josh Warrington: TKO/KO +650; Decision +400
Round Group Betting
Wood, Leigh by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +2500
Wood, Leigh by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +1000
Wood, Leigh by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +750
Wood, Leigh by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +800
Arriving in style ποΈ @itsLeighWood #WoodWarrington pic.twitter.com/xuQ5S5RubK
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 4, 2023
Warrington, Josh by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 1 to 3 +5000
Warrington, Josh by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 4 to 6 +2200
Warrington, Josh by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 7 to 9 +1600
Warrington, Josh by KO/TKO/DQ in
Round 10 to 12 +1600
πΏππ π·ππππ πππππππ βοΈ @J_Warrington
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 4, 2023
Bidding to become a three-time World Champion on Saturday
Watch the #WoodWarrington workout live: https://t.co/c8pEHjvYAf pic.twitter.com/VUgPGXeS1a
LEIGH WOOD VS. JOSH WARRINGTON FIGHT DATE, START TIME
- Date: Saturday, October 7
- Time: 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS LEIGH WOOD VS. JOSH WARRINGTON?
- U.S.: DAZN
- UK: DAZN
LEIGH WOOD VS. JOSH WARRINGTON FIGHT CARD
- Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington; For Wood's WBA world featherweight title
- Terri Harper vs. Cecilia Braekhus; For the WBA and WBO women's light middleweight titles
- Hopey Price vs. Connor Coghill; featherweight
- Kieron Conway vs. Linus Udofia; middleweight
- Junaid Bostan vs. Corey McCulloch; super-welterweight
- Cameron Vuong vs. Engel Gomez; super-featherweight
- Koby McNamara vs. Francisco Rodriguez; bantamweight
