Industry Picks: Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington

A number of years in the past discuss of Leigh Wood difficult Josh Warrington for his place because the UK’s finest featherweight would have appear far-fetched.

As the nation did their finest to outlive a world-changing world pandemic, Warrington endured a boxing nightmare in opposition to Mauricio Lara, whereas Wood turned within the efficiency of his life in opposition to Can Xu.

Both fights had been contested behind closed doorways and now it’s Wood who’s the person within the driving seat, carrying a featherweight world title which he’ll defend in opposition to Warrington on Saturday (Oct 7) on the Sheffield Arena. The packed-out venue will present a soundtrack of soccer chants and boos and cheers for the Nottingham Forest fan (Wood) and Leeds United fan (Warrington).

It has been billed as a 50-50 struggle, however the bookies have Wood because the odds-on favourite to retain his title.

But what does the commerce assume? Boxing News contacted quite a lot of figures throughout the trade to get their predictions on the struggle.

1. Mark Dunlop (Manager/Promoter) – I believe Josh Warrington will win. His expertise within the greater fights will see him win an in depth however unanimous factors victory in what must be a cracking contest.
2. Steve Goodwin (Manager/Promoter) – It’s a troublesome one because it is dependent upon what Josh has left. The finest Josh beats the most effective Leigh, however I believe on stability the most effective Josh has departed. For me due to this fact it’s Leigh Wood by a cushty factors resolution.
3. Matthew Macklin (Former world middleweight title challenger) – Wood impressed me with how he bounced again from the Lara defeat and the way he picked himself up from a disastrous begin in opposition to Mick [Conlan] to go on and win late. No doubt Warrington will throw the kitchen sink at him, however I believe Wood’s higher boxing capability and energy will give you the antidote. Wood to win inside the space.
4. Tyler Denny (European middleweight title challenger) – Even although I promised myself I wouldn’t guess in opposition to Warrington once more after his wins in opposition to [Lee] Selby and [Carl] Frampton I’m going with Wood. Even although he misplaced to Lara two fights in the past I really feel he has extra momentum and the sting in energy.
5. Chris Billam-Smith (WBO cruiserweight champion) – An fascinating struggle. Leigh Wood coming off a terrific win again in May, avenging a KO defeat, and Warrington coming off a majority resolution loss to an outstanding fighter and strong puncher in [Luis Alberto] Lopez. For me it’s a choose ’em struggle however attributable to what he overcame final day trip I’m edging in the direction of Leigh Wood.
6. Jon Pegg (Trainer/Manager) – Tricky one to choose. Can make circumstances for each lads successful. Think Warrington will sneak a razor tight resolution win in a struggle the place each have plenty of success.
7. Arnie Farnell (Trainer) I believe Warrington wins by TKO. He punches quite a bit tougher than his report suggests and his punch output is superb, and I believe that can offset Wood by him not having the ability to set his toes to get the facility he generates.
8. Tony Sims (Trainer) It’s a terrific world home match up. An excellent boxer in opposition to an excellent fighter. I’m going to go for Leigh Wood in a really shut possibly cut up resolution win.
9. Robbie Davies Jr (Former European super-lightweight champion) – I wouldn’t fully write Warrington off as he’s a terrific fighter however I’m going with Leigh Wood. He’s received momentum behind him and actually wanting the enterprise just lately and might bang. Mid to late stoppage for my part.
10. Tony Bellew (Former WBC cruiserweight champion) It’s the toughest struggle I’ve been requested to choose from for a very long time! I can’t separate them! I solely barely edge in the direction of Wood due to his final efficiency and his benefit with the facility however that is actually a 51% to 49% choose for me. Brilliant struggle.
11. Richard Farnan (Cutman/Trainer) – A really 50/50 struggle on paper. If the Warrington of previous seems then I really feel that he’ll outwork Wood to a factors victory. However, if Warrington isn’t on his recreation and Wood begins aggressively, I can see him stopping Warrington mid rounds as at instances he’s straightforward to hit. I’m going Wood to win by way of stoppage mid rounds.
12. Phil Jeffries (Promoter) – Wood KO spherical 9. Think Warrington had some actual exhausting fights.
13. Charlie Doig (Lightweight prospect) – Leigh Wood. I believe Josh Warrington is just too previous, he depends quite a bit on his punch resistance and he’s dropping that I believe.
14. River Wilson-Bent (British middleweight contender) – I’m choosing Warrington by resolution due to his expertise and work-rate.
15. Hannah Rankin (Former WBA super-welterweight champion) – I believe that is going to be a terrific struggle, however I’ve Wood successful this one. I simply assume he’s the larger fighter and the very fact he has the choice to modify hit will trigger Warrington issues.
16. Caoimhin Agyarko (Super-welterweight contender) – It’s a 50-50 struggle. If Leigh Wood will get out of the fifth spherical, I believe he beats Josh down the stretch, however I believe Josh will come out at a excessive tempo and attempt to stick it on him realizing Leigh’s tight on the weight. If Leigh will get out of the midway level, I believe he stops Josh late.
17. Joe Hughes (Former European super-lightweight champion) – I believe the kinds will gel effectively. Warrington shall be aggressive however for my part Wood will win. I believe he’ll win a fairly shut however deserved factors resolution. He’s that little bit much less worn, a bit more energizing out the 2. Even although he has been in some wars I really feel like he hasn’t been in as many [as Warrington]. I believe will probably be a very, actually good struggle.
18. Nick Campbell (Heavyweight prospect) – Hard to name and I anticipate a really aggressive struggle on the night time. I do fancy Wood to get the win by both a late stoppage or hard-fought factors resolution. If I used to be a betting man, I’d be going for a Wood stoppage in rounds 10 to 12.
19. Iain Wilson (Promoter) – Although Wood is the favorite, I believe Warrington will set the tempo and win on a slender factors resolution.
20. Jack Bateson (British featherweight contender) – Wood vs Warrington is an excellent struggle. I believe will probably be very thrilling and stylistically will make a cracker. Leigh Wood has appeared good underneath Ben Davison, however you’ll be able to by no means write Josh off. Styles make fights and I actually imagine Josh has the fashion and the starvation to beat Wood in what may very well be a struggle to recollect.
21. Samuel Antwi (British super-welterweight champion) – I’m going for Leigh Wood on this one. He’s been in a position to come via the starvation to get up to now. I believe he’s the more energizing of the 2 and his knockout energy would be the deciding issue on this struggle.
22. Jack Massey (British cruiserweight contender) – I’m choosing Leigh Wood for the win. Too robust and can out-box Warrington.

Result: Wood 16 votes, Warrington six votes

And for much more trade predictions gathered collectively by BN press play on the video under.