Nottingham boxer Leigh Wood has called out Josh Warrington for his comments about filling the City Ground with his fans.
Wood is hoping to stage his next fight at the home of his beloved Nottingham Forest on Trentside with anticipation levels through the roof after his devastating twelfth-round knockout of Michael Conlan at the Motorpoint Arena earlier this month. Conlan had to go to the hospital after Wood ended a potential fight of the year bout.
Now Wood, who retained his WBA world featherweight title, could face Warrington next with the Leeds United supporter making clear his feelings on a fight in Nottingham. Speaking to The Sportsman's social media pages, he delivered his verdict on Wood's previous fight and the prospect of a bout at the City Ground.
Read more: Lewis Grabban injury state of play as Nottingham Forest hope for striker boost
Read more: Forest star sent transfer message as defender hails 'best home crowd'
"You have got Wood, who had that fantastic fight the week before next," Warrington said. "I would love to go to the City Ground and take over there, but for so long, I have been saying I want to go to the United States of America, so we will see what happens."
Wood took to social media and tweeted in response to Warrington: "Everyone thinks they come and take over Nottingham. If it’s not Ireland, it’s Leeds. NO F****N WAY." Wood is unbeaten in three fights and has only lost one since May 2014.
He has also only fought in Nottingham twice in the last five years and is yet to grace the City Ground pitch. Any fight will have to take place in a certain window for the pitch to be ready for the new season, meaning there will be a limited timeframe for a fight to happen.
Wood's promoter, Eddie Hearn, hinted at a potential fight on Trentside earlier this year. "The atmosphere is going to be unbelievable," Hearn said.
"Leigh is on the brink of becoming a big, big name in the sport, and this could probably open doors to a big fight at the City Ground as well.”
