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Zenger
Zenger
Sport
Miriam Onyango

Leigh Wood Stuns Josh Warrington With Seventh Round Knockout In WBA Featherweight Title Defense

Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington, during their WBA Featherweight World Title fight at Utilita Arena Sheffield on October 7, 2023 in Sheffield, England. Wood defeated Warrington in the seventh round to retain his WBA featherweight championship. MARK ROBINSON/GETTY IMAGES.

SHEFFIELD, England — Leigh Wood defeated Josh Warrington in the seventh round after recovering from a losing position on Saturday night. Right punches to the jaw from Wood and more hooks that followed knocked Warrington to the ground.

At the end of the seventh round, Wood successfully completed a second defense of his WBA world featherweight title. Warrington complained about the stoppage but appeared severely injured and on weak on his knees.

Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington, during their WBA Featherweight World Title fight at Utilita Arena Sheffield on October 7, 2023 in Sheffield, England. Wood defeated Warrington in the seventh round to retain his WBA featherweight championship. MARK ROBINSON/GETTY IMAGES.

Wood,35 (28-3, 17 KOs) from Nottingham, appeared to be in trouble when Warrington swarmed all over him and began delivering hooks as early as the opening round.

Warrington’s senses were then confused by a right hook from Wood, who then followed it up with five more precise hooks before his English opponent collapsed to the floor. He stood up, but Alexander decided to stop him because of his wobbly legs.

“I’ve got game changers,” said Wood in the ring afterwards. 

Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington, during their WBA Featherweight World Title fight at Utilita Arena Sheffield on October 7, 2023 in Sheffield, England. Wood defeated Warrington in the seventh round to retain his WBA featherweight championship. MARK ROBINSON/GETTY IMAGES.

“I knew the further the fight goes on, the sloppier he gets and the more chances I get. I didn’t stick to the game plan well, I got disorientated after getting hit in the back of my head. I got the knockout in the end. Maybe we can run it back. I was disorientated early on with a shot at the back of the head, but we got there in the end,” said Wood in media reports.

32 year old Warrington from Leeds (31-3-1, 8 KOs), will likely retire unless Wood agrees to a rematch.

“He caught me with a good shot, I felt good, I heard the count but the referee was waving his arms. That’s two defeats on the bounce and I don’t think it’s done me justice. I hope it’s not the last one. Ideally I would like to run it back again, I felt I was cruising it at times,” said Warrington in media reports.

Edited by Judy J. Rotich and Newsdesk Manager

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