Warrington Didn’t Have His Senses To Carry On, Knocked Out By Leigh Wood

Leigh Wood got the greater reception on entering the Sheffield arena, with seemingly more fans of Nottingham Forest than Leeds United in the crowd. Warrington walking out to Marching On Together – the song of Leeds, a Yorkshire rival of Sheffield United and Wednesday – was an unpopular choice.

Leigh Wood came from behind in the seventh round to produce unbelievable knockdown.

Leigh Wood retain his WBA featherweight title in Sheffield after a claimed a victory over Josh Warrington.

Warrington had dominated up to the seventh round, but then a thunderous left from Wood was followed by a flurry to leave the Leeds boxer on his back.

Wood is a fervent Forest fan and has long wanted to fight at the City Ground. Now, following the 28th win of his 31-bout career, it seems like he will get his dream.

A change in weight class also seems likely, with Wood saying featherweight is “done now”.

“Josh switched off for a second and it was goodnight Vienna,” Hearn said. “Josh was desperate to carry on and he was trying to compose himself. He didn’t have his senses to carry on. The ref made the right decision, what a thriller.”

While Wood is in dreamland, this was a nightmare for Warrington who realistically needed to win here after his shock loss to Lopez in front of a home Leeds crowd in December last year.

“People have written me off already,” Warrington said pre-fight. “[Saying that] I’m finished. It gives me the bit between my teeth.”

He chomped that bit with an all-action showing, but the lack of knockout power which has only seen him stop eight opponents in 32 fights was on show again here.

It was a brutal, stunning end to a fight between two rivals who had shown utmost respect to each other in the build-up and did British boxing proud with an engrossing contest.