Leigh Wood says he made a major financial sacrifice to ensure his long-awaited rematch with Josh Warrington finally happens this Saturday in Nottingham. The rivals first met in October 2023, when Wood defended his WBA featherweight title in controversial fashion after Warrington was stopped in the seventh round despite protesting he was fit to continue.
A rematch was immediately discussed but never materialized. Now, Wood has revealed why. “When the rematch first came around, the money wasn't right,” he said. “But I took a massive reduction in pay to make this fight, just to let you all know that. That's what this fight means to me, so I can't wait to get my hands on him and do a better job.”
Since their first clash, both men pursued opportunities at junior lightweight. Warrington lost a unanimous decision to Anthony Cacace for the IBF 130lb title in September 2024, while Wood suffered a ninth-round stoppage to Cacace in May 2025 for the IBO strap. Reflecting on that defeat, Wood said: “No loss is easy to take. But I knew the risk going into the fight… I’ve always run towards a challenge and never shy away from it. It was a massive opportunity and risk as well, which I ran towards and I fell short.”
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Warrington briefly signaled retirement after his loss to Cacace before returning with a unanimous decision win over Asad Asif Khan in April 2024. Wood was unimpressed. “Underwhelming. Very underwhelming,” he said. “He looked very nervous. He looked a bit gun-shy. Maybe he had a lot of pressure that night because if he lost to him, that would have been it.”
Despite that assessment, Wood insists he is preparing for the best version of his rival. “[I’m expecting] the best Josh Warrington. I'm preparing for the best… When there's a lot on the line, it brings the best out of people.” As for how it ends, Wood was clear: “I think I win by stoppage and a better performance. More in control and a controlled stoppage as well.”
Image Credit: Matchroom Boxing