Leigh Wood versus Josh Warrington - Making the most of what you've got

Particulars: Saturday 7 October, at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield UK (DAZN) it’s Josh “The Sheffield Warrior” vs. Leigh ‘Leigh-thal’ Wood, Featherweights. (WBA Title Fight).

Background: Josh Warrington vs. Leigh Woods is a fight of sufficient interest to hardcore UK fight fans - of which there are plenty. And at that, fans of lower-weight fighters.

Warrington is the bigger brand, but both have KO losses on their record - Woods has two. Both warriors are making (by their standards) great purses, particularly Wood.

To American eyes, it sure seems like these badly aging dudes have limited prospects. Yet in the UK, the fight has garnered a lot of attention. What U.S. boxing fans would consider a fight of very limited interest, does nicely for your fanatical British fan, thank you. British fans obsess over boxing, which is great, and are the best, as Mayweather said. All hobbies and interests are serious business in the UK – British boxing fans know the full details of boxing, including the subtle stuff. Think an NFL nut who knows as much about the Packer’s wideouts routes – as their coaches.

Fighters Grades: (Speed, Power, Defense, Reach, Age, Stamina, Experience)

Josh Warrington: B- C C+ C+ C B B Total: C+ (2.5)

Leigh Wood: B- B- C- B- C+ C C+ Total: C+ (2.3)

Warrington, 32, once highly touted, is a light-hitting defensive specialist who moves well and has decent technique and footwork. He has good balance. “Veteran and cagey” are words I’d definitely associate with him.

So, at age 32, what are Warrington’s flaws?

Many moments of inactivity. He “lines ‘em up,” then doesn’t throw. Aging fighters often can’t pull the trigger anymore - even though they see the openings.

Light-hitting defensive specialist isn’t a curse - though many would say he’s boring, but Warrington is also an arm puncher. 

Warrington’s current MO is simple: Using technique and long experience, he follows opponents and waits for openings. Seeing them, he throws light potshots with both hands. Wash and repeat.

Leigh Woods, 35, and the favorite seems similar but is regarded as a heavy puncher who KOs about 60% of his opponents.  He has far more KOs than Warrington but I’m not sold on his opposition. He certainly is a frightening-looking character. To describe him as a “tough nut” is an understatement. But...as is so often the case with the British, in interviews he comes across as an affable, intelligent bloke. He can switch hit and is quick.

Exactly like Warrington, Wood waits for LONG moments of a round to counter-punch. In his defeat of Mauricio Laura, as Carl Froch said - sometimes you get an easy night. Lara, who’d knocked out Wood in their first fight, did almost nothing for the entire 12 rounds. Paler shade of Charlo vs. Canelo. Why did Lara do nothing? I have no idea. Mysterious. Not a fix, just one of those strange things in this sport where dudes hit each other for money. Wood just stood off and counterpunched and received tremendous ovations that in this case – all respect to British fans – weren’t deserved.

It’s like this: On an evolutionary scale, Wood and Warrington could beat the leaving crap out of 99.99% of humanity, including big dudes. But our beloved sport is so demanding, that’s not nearly good enough. In boxing, Warrington is a former British titlist. Wood? Without wanting to shaft him, it seems crazy that Wood is WBA titlist based on beating Mauricio Lara in May. But he is. 

Fight and prediction: I didn’t say who cares. Be nice! I see DAZN calling this a “rousing, thrilling fight.” I think it’s more likely to be a stand-off and jab fest. Speaking of jabs will someone get jobbed n’ robbed on the cards? Oh heck, Warrington. Editor John Raspanti – you know boxing back to front – who do you see winning this?

Editor’s note: I give the edge to Wood. 

Warrington MD 12 Wood