WHO will Leigh Wood fight next? Eddie Hearn has indicated his preference.
Wood, who is a leading contender for British Fighter of the Year, defeated Josh Warrington last time out. The all-British featherweight contest was keenly fought and appeared to be going the way of Warrington before Wood turned things around with a dramatic and contentious finish in round seven.
As Warrington’s momentum increased from the third round, Wood found himself under pressure. But with seconds left in the seventh, ‘Leigh-thal’ proved to be just that when a right hook staggered his opponent before another five unanswered shots sent Warrington to the canvas just as the bell rang to end of the round.
As Warrington staggered back to his corner and turned his back, referee Michael Alexander tolled the mandatory eight count before halting the contest – much to the annoyance of Team Warrington, who have called for a rematch. In the aftermath, Wood voiced his intention to campaign at 130lbs and subsequently relinquished his WBA featherweight strap. Wood’s first foray at super-featherweight looks likely to take place at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground next spring.
Warrington, Joe Cordina and Emanuel Navarrete have all been linked to a fight against the 35-year-old but, on Thursday, Hearn told Boxing News which one he is slightly favouring.
“I learn towards the Josh Warrington rematch because watching the fight back and seeing everyone’s response, I think he deserves another crack at it,” Hearn said.
“We know he’s gonna bring 10,000 from Leeds to Nottingham Forest for a fight like that and Leigh will fill the rest. We’ll have to see but it could be Joe, it could be Navarrete, it could be Warrington, but the plan is May in Nottingham Forest.”
Another name that could be in the running is Michael Conlan, who was stopped by Wood in another exciting affair in March 2022. Having been knocked down in the opening stanza and outboxed for large periods, Wood knocked Conlan out in the final round.
Conlan, who then defeated Miguel Marriaga and Karim Guerfi, lost convincingly to Luis Alberto Lopez in Belfast five months ago. The 31-year-old returns to the ring in a joint Conlan Boxing/Matchroom Boxing promotion on December 2 in Belfast against Jordan Gill.
“A statement win for Conlan against Jordan Gill would put his name in the mix for sure,” Hearn said.
