Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington summary online, round by round, stats and updates
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Leigh Wood stuns Josh Warrington with knockout shot from nowhere
Never say die: Leigh Wood stuns Josh Warrington
Boxing, they say, can all spin on a single punch. So many times in history the biggest stories start with the shot from nowhere. And tonight, in Sheffield, England, a new page was written.
Josh Warrington was all over Leigh Wood from the opening bell. Wood was able to maintain the pace for the opening two rounds, but from round three onward, Wood looked completely out of his depth. Warrington was battering him and Wood had no answers.
Then the seventh round came about and from nowhere; from the clouds, the heavens, perhaps the ether; Leigh Wood pulled out a peach of a right hook that caught Warrington flush. Stunned, Warrington then took a left, right, and another left on the way to the canvas.
As the last shot landed, the bell to end the round sounded. Warrington's corner brought out his stool and buzzed from the knockdown, Warrington came over to his corner rather than responding to the referee's commands, leaving the official no option but to wave the fight off.
It is a contentious move, dividing pundits and public equally.
Warrington hinted in his post fight interview that he may retire, and Eddie Hearn suggested that Leigh Wood was done at featherweight. But with an ending like that, the public is already saying that they want to see it again.
Goodbye!
That is going to do it for our live coverage of Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington. We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did!
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Until then, good night and God bless!
That is one of the most incredible wins you will ever see! Leigh Wood won just one round in that fight and yet came out with the stoppage.
Wood wins by TKO!!!!
Warrington goes in behind a sharp jab that snaps Wood's head back. As they clench, Warrington is throwing shots and the referee calls time and deducts a point from Warrington for hitting in the back of the head. So it looks like that complaint last round paid dividends for Wood.
Wood is looking for the big left, now back on the southpaw side, and is trying to measure it up with that jab.
Warrington's attack slows as he feels it all out. In the end, they come close and Leigh Wood finds a huge right hook from nowhere! He follows it up with a right and Warrington goes down just as the bell sounds!
The referee starts to count, and Warrington is so buzzed that he thinks the round is over! His corner has done him no favors bringing the stool out and he makes his way to his corner, never looking at the refereee! The count gets to eight and Warrington has yet to look at him!
The referee has no choice but to wave the fight off since Warrington is unresponsive to his commands! Warrington is distraught, complaining that the round was over! But to no avail! Leigh Wood has won in the most insane way possible!
Warrington is moving well at the beginning of the round. Wood is trying to jab his way into the fight but Warrington is swarming him.
Wood complains of a blow to the back of the head, but the referee has not said anything so Warrington keeps coming. This is really stupid of Wood! You can't do that! Protect yourself at all tiimes!
The two fighters clench and Wood throws a left hook that Warrington ducks and comes back with his own. Wood is starting to look tired, perhaps lazy, just pawing his jab out rather than snapping it.
Warrington is staying nice and tight as he comes in to Wood and not much is getting through. Wood is now back to orthodox, but needs to protect that eye, since Warrington will definitely target that cut.
Warrington lands a peach of a right hand! Wood's knees buckle, but he recovers immediately.
They clench and Warrington works the body. He lands a huge left hook on Wood and the knees buckle again! His legs are nearly gone! The bell sounds and Wood is in serious trouble here!
Leigh Wood switches back to orthodox and the fight once again slows as Warrington feels out the new look of the man in front of him.
Wood is trying to feel out the jab, measure the distance, and Warrington is not at all afraid to get hit as he goes in. Warrington throws body shots, big hooks, and is just trying to unload. He lands a heavy right hand on Wood, snapping the head back!
Another double jab and big back hand lands flush on Wood's chin. Warrington is going in rough and a cut opens up on Leigh Wood's right eye!
Warrington comes out like a hurricane! He jumps on Wood and pushes him onto the ropes. Warrington starts to throw big hooks, catching Wood and wobbling him!
Wood quickly regains his composure but for a brief moment, he looked ready to fall.
Warrington stays on the attack, bullying Wood and shoving him back onto the ropes. The referee breaks the two fighters and warns Warrington about a low blow.
The two go back to hammering on each other and Warrington lands a huge left hook flush on Wood's beak!
Warrington stays on the gas, pushing Wood back onto the ropes. Wood is in trouble until the bell sounds to end the assault! What a round for Warrington!
Wood still on the southpaw side and it is having some success of tying up Warrington's feet as they come together. Warrington is not as quick to head in as in the first but when they do come in, he is throwing hurtful body shots at Wood.
The fight slows somewhat as Wood is not looking to work behind that southpaw jab, controlling the distance.
Warrington is still making inroads, pushing in low toward the body. He is messy with it and the referee calls time just before the end of the round to have a word with him about leading with his head.
This arena in Sheffield, England is rocking! The crowd is divided 50-50 for these two local working class fighters. It is electric!
The two men come out in the orthodox stance and neither one looks to be concerned about defense as we get going. They are both flying in with combos and throwing hands, this is a tornado!
Both land shots, both catch counter punches, this is vicious!
Wood switches to southpaw to see if he can gain an upper hand. Warrington slows his assault but both are still firing shots in.
Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington (WBA featherweight title)
Now it is time for the main event as Leigh Wood makes his first defense of his WBA title. This is his second reign as champ, with the first time ending by TKO to Mexican Mauricio Lara. Wood set things to rights in the rematch, but he will want to emphatically show that he is the champ with a successful defense.
Josh Warrington will be his opponent, and the former IBF title holder is more than a match for the champ. Having taken the IBF belt off Kiko Martinez, he then lost it to another Mexican fighter in Luis Alberto Lopez in only his first title defense.
Both of these men will be out to show the world that they belong at this level, that not only can they win a belt but that they can hold it.
I had the fight 97-93 for Harper, but in fairness a lot of those rounds were very close. It came down to what you liked and many could have gone either way.
I feel like Harper won, but it wasn't as clear cut as Eddie seems to think it was.
Majority draw
The judges at ringside see the fight:
97-93 Harper
95-95 Draw
95-95 Draw
We have a Majority Draw!
Terri Harper retains her WBA super welterweight title and the WBO title is still vacant.
The final round and Harper comes out like a hurricane. Braekhus is trying to work that simple one-two combo on the inside. Harper is having big success from the outside, getting in quickly and moving around, making Braekhus march her down.
As Braekhus comes in, she lands a peach of a right hook, but Harper takes it. The bell goes and that should be it.
The fight goes immediately onto the inside whith Braekhus delivering a few decent uppercuts, before Harper manages to break free and go back to the outside.
Harper comes in and lands a great one-two to the body. Braekhus lands a heavy right hand as the bell sounds. That was a great round for Breakhus.
The fight has become a little more cagey again, as Harper stays out of range. Braekhus gets up close and clenches. She throws uppercut after uppercut, doing some good work in there.
With ten seconds left in the round, they come back together and let their hands fly, with Braekhus getting the last word in.
As the round gets underway, Steve Gray calls time to adjust Braekhus' foul protector, feeling that it was perhaps too high. One thing that is going on in boxing after the last Usyk fight, is that officials are really being told to tighten up on low blows.
As they come back out, Braekhus pushes the issue onto Harper, getting her on the ropes and delivering some heavy punches on the inside. She is doing better work here and now it is Harper who is looking tired.
Braekhus is now blowiing hard as she moves around Harper. Her shots are heavy and hurtful, but Harper is the quicker of the two fighters and her youth is showing here.
When they come in close, Braekhus is doing good work, but as long as Harper keeps to the outside, she is wearing her opponent out.
Harper is coming forward now with a bit more authority. She is not having her way with Braekhus however, as the Norwegian is throwing back punishing shots.
As Harper stays outside, you can see that Braekhus is beginning to slow as she tries to walk her down.
Both fighters come out trying to be more active with their lead hand. There is an accidental clash of heads, but as Harper comes in Braekhus is delivering big punches.
It is starting to look as if Braekhus is starting to get tired.
In the third round, Harper comes out more aggressive, trying to take the center of the ring from Braekhus. This could play straight into Braekhus' hands if Harper is not careful. Already the harder hitting fighter, she can win a toe-to-toe war with Harper.
Harper goes back to the outside and is now trying to tire Braekhus, a tactic that can have better success for her in the long run.
Braekhus come out and goes on the attack, throwing her one-two combo, but while she might have a power advantage, Harper is clearly the quicker of the two.
Harper misses with a big left hook, and they come together and clench as Harper pushes Braekhus onto the ropes.
Referee Steve Gray splits the two and Braekhus comes forward with the double jab, right hand.
Both fighters come out working from the orthodox stance and Braekhus takes the center of the ring. Harper is moving around the outside, using her legs. Braekhus tries to cut down the ring and they come together as they throw their jabs.
A cagey first round, but you can see that Harper intends to make Braekhus move, making her feel her age.
Terri Harper vs Cecilia Braekhus (WBA super-welterweight title, vacant WBO title)
Now the biggest of the undercard bouts. This is big enough that it is billed as co-main event. The First Lady of Boxing Cecilia Braekhus will challenge Terri Harper for her WBA super-welterweight title as welll as the vacant WBO title.
No unified champion reigned as long as Braekhus did in women's boxing, and she is the favored fighter here tonight, despite Harper's youth and despite being the challenger. The one concern for Braekhus' corner will be her age, as she is now 42 years old.
Kieron Conway is the new Intercontinental middleweight champion and will now be in line to challenge for the British title.
That was the right call by Howard Foster. Udofia is not at all happy with the decision but his eye is completely shut.
Conway wins by TKO
As the round gets going, referee Howard Foster calls time and looks at Udofia's eye. He decides that it is too far gone to allow the fight to continue.
Conway wins by TKO.
Conway comes out now on the attack and pushes Udofia onto the ropes. He lands a huge left hook! Udofia is in trouble now!
They grapple and are broken up by the referee, but Conway is in control here.
As they both move back to the center of the ring, Udofia comes back into the fight and lands a huge right hook to the body of Conway.
Udofia's right eye is swollen and nearly shut.
Both men start off in the middle of the canvas, neither willing to back away, trading jabs. Udofia lands a big left to the body which finally convinces Conway to backpedal.
Udofia seems a little reluctant to commit to the attack and Conway turns the tables, walking Udofia onto the ropes.
A very cagey round for both men.
Udofia has stepped up his attack, now bringing the fight forward. Conway is now on the back foot.
As Udofia advances, Conway catches him with a little jab, enough to slow the attack. Udofia starts to work backward and Conway is looking to set up the big right hand. He finds what he was looking for with ten seconds left in the round, as Conway lands a beauty of a right on Udofia. No damage but eye catching.
Conway comes out the aggressor in round two. Udofia comes in to try and slow Conway's march down, but Conway holds his feet, and throws a nice right hook in for good measure.
Both of these fighters have fought for British titles before, Conway having held it as a super-welterweight. They come out in the first round trying to see what their opponent has to offer.
Conway comes forward a little too fast and Udofia lands a sweet right hand. No damage done, but it is a definite eye-opener for Conway.
Udofia tries to throw a right of his own and is caught by a nice one-two from his opponent.
Kieron Conway vs Linus Udofia (middleweight)
Now we have a middleweight British title eliminator bout between Kieron Conway (19-3-1) and Linus Udofia (18-1). The fight is scheduled to go twelve rounds.
Price wins by TKO
Price comes out determined to stop the fight here. Coghill throws a huge right hook to slow the attack but Price comes back with an enormous flurry that puts Coghihll down again.
He gets up after a short count and the barrage continues until the referee has no choice but to determine that Coghill has nothing left to give! He stops the fight and Price wins by TKO!
This is the first time that either of these fighters has made it into the championship rounds, both of them only going as far as ten rounds up to tonight.
Price backs Coghill onto the ropes and tries to throw combos, but they are a bit static, just in front of Coghill, and Coghill comes back and stops then hurts Price.
They move back to the center of the ring and they exchange, first one way then the other.
Price comes forward and lands a HUGE LEFT! As Coghill goes down, Price hits him again! The referee tells him off for it but gives Coghill a count.
Coghill is not yet recovered and Price swarms him, landing punches, with just enough coming back to keep the referee out of it. The bell comes and it couldn't be a moment too soon for Coghill!
Price is landing his one-two on Coghill, and is only stopped by his opponent coming in for the clench. Coghill throws back and manages to snap Price's head back.
Price is throwing feints, trying to set up a big left, but so far, Coghill is not biting. As the round ends, both men are inside, working on the ropes. Coghill is still in this!
Coghill comes out trying to get back on the front foot, but Price is countering him well. Again and again, Coghill moves forward and is made to eat a right hook for his trouble.
This fight is very close, and both men feel like they need to put some distance between themselves and their opponent.
Coghill charges forward and is caught off balance by Price. He puts his head down, looking like he expected the referee to step in. He did not and Price pressed him hard, landing a nice uppercut! Coghill was dazed and looked like he had no idea what was going on.
Coghill survives it, but that may have been the separation that Price was after!
Coghill his well and truly recovered now, but both men look to be fatigued. Price is back to flicking that jab out and Coghill is allowing his ipponent to dictate the pace.
Price moves in for a back hand shot and Coghill catches him with a nice right hook.
Coghill's right eye is marked up and possibly bleeding a little.
Price trying to press his advantage, attacking Coghill. Has Coghill had enough rest to get his legs back under him?
Price is landing everything now, but Coghill is still coming forward. If nothing else, he has heart!
The longer Price stays on the attack, the more it suits Coghill, giving him time to conserve energy, retreat, and catch his breath. Price, by contrast is wasting a lot of energy on throwing shots that are being blocked and parried.
Price starts off the round with combos, getting Coghill a little twisted up. But his pace is slowing, and he is starting to paw out those jabs rather than flick them quickly. Coghill attacks walks onto a HUGE ONE-TWO COMBO!
Coghill goes down! And the counter that Price was waiting for finally came!
Coghill gets up and beats the count just as the bell sounds.
Price starts off with a good left hand and while it doesn't hurt Coghill, it establishes the danger that he poses. Coghill is now aggressive, diving in, throwing his hands toward Price, but leaving himself open for the counter.
Price is trying to figure out the counter, but is simply not yet able to get the timing of his opponent down pat. Both men come in and grapple at the center of the ring.
Coghill is now putting together his attacks, pushing Price back, staying on the front foot. This is very positive from Coghill.
The bout has become much more of a back and forth contest than we thought it might be. Coghill has judges Price's distance, just as Price is no longer wedded to the idea of staying on the outside. Both men are having success with the counter, both are landing their combinations.
Very much a pick-em round, the eye catching last shot goes Coghill's way.
Coghill has a renewed sense of vigor, pushing forward and trying to make Price think twice before flicking those jabs out.
Price is just as hopeful to establish that jab, throwing nice body shots at Coghill.
Coghill comes in with a right feint and lands another overhand left. Price takes it nicely and backs away from trouble, but Coghill now has his range measured.
Both men grapple and the referee instructs them to work their way out. Price is trying to use the moment to work the body of Coghill. This fight has turned around quickly!
Both fighters pick up where they left off and as Coghill tries to close the distance, Price lands a nice one-two coombination, pushing his man back outside.
Coghill stalks Price and manages to get him onto the ropes. Once the distance is closed, he manages to land a huge left hand! Price is shaken!
Another good combination from Coghill convinces Price to grab on and try to weather this. This is good work from Coghill!
Price is recovered now, but definitely on the back foot, backpedalling as the round ends.
Both men come out cagey, testing their opponent. Price is trying to establish that jab, and just when he looks to be making ground in that direction, Coghill lands a sweet left hook to sway the momentum. A tight round, but Price did the better work.
Hopey Price vs Connor Coghill (featherweight)
Now we get straight on with a British featherweight title eliminator between two Yorkshiremen in Connor Coghill and Hopey Price. The bout is scheduled for twelve rounds.
Apart from a few moments where Bostan took some unnecessary punishment, largely due to his own bravado, the London native was easily the more talented of the fighters. Faster hands, better angles, a natural switch hitter who can fight both southpaw and orthodox, you can look to hear more from this young man in the years to come.
Bostan wins by TKO
A little less bravado from Bostan suggests that he is perhaps feeling some of those shots, plodding though they be, from McCulloch.
Both men in fact are working a little slower, but there is now blood flowing from McCulloch's nose. This looks as if it has given Bostan a lift. He steps on the gas and pushes the Scot back onto the ropes, swarming him. With nothing much coming back, there is little choice for the referee but to stop the fight.
Bostan is happy to work on the back foot and counter punch, and why not? McCulloch's shots are rarely landing flush and in fact, it is the Scot whose face is the more marked up.
Bostan leans on his opponent, pushing McCulloch ono the ropes. A big hook has bothered McCulloch's left eye. He is rubbing it constantly, suggesting perhaps that either his vision is blurred in that eye or that something is not quite right. No blood is coming down as yet from that eye.
Bostan gets a little lazy at the end of the round and allows his opponent to catch him with a nice one-two to the face.
McCulloch comes out trying to land something, to even the score from the previous round. Now it is the turn of the Scot to live dangerously, since Bostan's speed will favor him in any kind of counter punch.
Bostan is throwing shots from crazy angles and McCulloch has no real answer. He tries to level the score with heavy shots and manages to slow Bostan down.
Both men coming out a little more cagey, less ready to throw hands. Bostan keeps both hands by his side, in a show of bravado which perhaps matches his ability, but is nevertheless a risky tactic.
At the two minute mark, McCulloch gets hit with a beautiful right hand that staggers him. He wobbles onto the ropes and Bostan jumps on him, swarming his opponent. McCulloch manages to weather the storm, getting his feet beneath him, and throwing back a few shots and landing a nice left hook of his own as the round comes to an end.
Bostan is trying to stay outside of McCulloch's range, dipping in and backing away, doing a lot of his work on the back foot. McCulloch is not fast, but he is doing a good job of cutting down angles.
McCulloch throws a lazy jab out and Bostan flicks a right hand toward him, making him pay for his plodding pace.
The fight gets going at a furious pace, with Bostan swarming McCulloch, pushing him onto the ropes and catching the Scot's attention. McCulloch lands a beautiful straight left to stop the attack.
Bostan perhaps underestimated the power of McCulloch and as they trade, there are signs that both men have gotten the other's attention.
Junaid Bostan vs Corey McCulloch (super-welterweight)
The main card is now underway with a super-welterweight fight between Scotland's Corey McCulloch (7-3-1) and London native Junaid Bostan (6-0). This fight is scheduled for eight rounds.
Leivars wins UD
Referee Howard Foster scored the fight 79-73.
A unanimous decision for Nico Leivars to bring his professional record to 5-0.
The final round of this contest and both fighters come out throwing hands. They are both trying to claim the center of the ring, but Walker is getting hit more than Leivars is. The work from Walker is scrappy while Leivars' work is clean and crisp. Were it not for those cuts on Leivars' eyes - the other one is cut now too - then you would think that Walker is losing every round. With that damage done, you have to wonder if the ringside judges might see a round or two going the other way?
Both fighters are trying to land shots and while Leivars' are mostly finding their target, those of Walker are mostly missing.
Walker now growing into the fight, perhaps encouraged by the cut on Leivars' eye. He takes the center of the ring and trying to press Leivars a little now.
Leivars is coming back with the better quality shots but that cut on Leivars' eye is open again and bleeding. Walker is pressing forward now, taking punishment, but trying hard to bring that fight inside and work on that injured eye.
The round ends with the tables turned and Leivars holding on, pushing Walker onto the ropes.
Leivars staggers Walker with a nice left hook to start the round, but Walker recovers well. He continues to come in and although he is taking punishment every time, he is game.
There is a clash of heads that opens up a cut on Leivars' eye. Blood streaming down his face.
Walker is warned for leading with his head as he tries to bring the battle inside on Leivars. It is not working out for him, however, as Leivars is having good success using hook and uppercut combinations when they are in close.
In trying to force the pace and close the distance, Walker is taking a lot of counter punches, but overall, perhaps his best round.
Leivars is keeping Walker at distance and that is giving him a lot of trouble. Walker is game and coming forward but he is getting caught with left hooks, stiff jabs, and a nice uppercut almost at will. He is just slightly too slow on every attack, one fraction behind the counter that is coming back at him.
Walker comes out trying to land bigger shots, trying to put Leivars under a bit of pressure. He is eating a lot of counters and soon reverts to form. Leivars gets a great left hook in before Walker holds on for dear life.
Walker is still trying to come forward but gets caught with a peach of an uppercut. A better showing from Walker, but still Leivars is looking the more comfortable of the two.
Leivars is positive and working forward. He is a former Italian and GB Olympian and is keen to start strong. Walker was hurt in that opening round, but seems to have recovered here and is getting off shots of his own.
Leivars is the one making his shots pay though, landing his jabs nicely and moving in for good combos. Walker is just a fraction too slow to land his shots cleanly.
Nico Leivars vs Ryan Walker (flyweight)
We join the live action with an eight round bout between Nico Leivars and Ryan Walker.
The opening round sees Leivars put Walker under pressure, with a lovely right wobbling his legs. Walker holds on and survives it.
Early undercard bouts
Koby McNamara vs Francisco Rodriguez (bantamweight)
McNamara drops Rodriguez in the sixth and goes on to get the decision in the opening bout of the evening.
Cameron Vuong vs Engel Gomez (super-featherweight)
Cameron Vuong makes his pro debut, stopping Nicaragua's Engel Gomez in the fourth round.
The Full Fight Card
Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington(WBA featherweight title)
Terri Harper vs Cecilia Braekhus (WBA super-welterweight title, vacant WBO title)
Hopey Price vs Connor Coghill (featherweight)
Kieron Conway vs Linus Udofia (middleweight)
Junaid Bostan vs Corey McCulloch (super-welterweight)
Nico Leivars vs Ryan Walker (flyweight)
Cameron Vuong vs Engel Gomez (super-featherweight)
Koby McNamara vs Francisco Rodriguez (bantamweight)
MAIN EVENT: Tale of the tape
Leigh Wood
Age: 35
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5ft 7in
Reach: 70.5”
Record: 26-3, 16 KO
Josh Warrington
Age: 32
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5ft 7in
Reach: 73”
Record: 31-2-1, 8 KO
WELCOME!!!
Welcome to Diario AS USA’s live coverage of the WBA featherweight world title bout between Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington from Sheffield, England.
This is the first defense by Wood of his second reign as WBA champion. The first one ended by a TKO to Mexican Mauricio Lara in February. Wood regained the title in the rematch, getting a unanimous decision in a fight that saw Lara down in the second and fourth rounds.
Amid criticism that he is trying to swerve hammer-fisted Uzbek challenger Otabek Kholmatov (11-0, 10 KOs), Wood has taken what many see as a safer option in facing his countryman, former IBF champion Josh Warrington.
Last time out, Warrington lost a contentious majority decision to another Mexican, Luis Alberto Lopez in his first defense of the IBF title that Warrington had taken off Kiko Martinez just eight months earlier.
Warrington doesn’t have the fearsome punch power of Kholmatov, but is a wily veteran who can swarm and overwhelm the less experienced Wood. Not afraid to get in close and work the body, Warrington can make the night very uncomfortable for Wood, who prefers to jab at distance.
This is a pick-em matchup, with most of the boxing world divided 50-50 on who they think will do the business.
On the undercard tonight is a tasty matchup between Terri Harper and Cecilia Braekhus, as the two clash for Harper’s WBA super-welterweight title as well as the vacant WBO belt.
Originally slated for the undercard of Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron in Dublin back in May, Braekhus had to withdraw due to illness on the morning of the fight.
The British champion Harper is 14-1-1 with 6 KOs and has taken and defended her title, winning three fights in a row after losing to Alycia Baumgardner back in 2021. The only other blemish on her record is a draw with Natasha Jonas in 2020.
Colombian-born Norwegian Cecilia Braekhus 37-2 with 9 KOs, with both of her losses coming by decision to Jessica McCaskill. Currently rated as the world pound-for-pound number one, Braekhus is a heavy hitter and has a phenomenal engine. Although the challenger tonight, she can certainly cause serious discomfort for Harper.
The main card is set to get underway at 2 pm ET / 11 am PT.