WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood 27-3 (16) is confident he can become just the second boxer to knockout Josh Warrington 31-2-1 (8) when they meet at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England this Saturday night.
The only man to beat the 32-year-old Leeds Warrior inside the distance is rugged Mexican Mauricio ‘Bronco’ Lara 26-3-1 (19) who stopped him in nine in February 2021. In a twist of fate, Lara knocked out Wood in seven frames two years later.
Wood believes he can repeat the treatment Lara gave Warrington.
“I’ve been ringside for his last three fights, I’ve seen him get hurt,” Wood said.
“I know he’s tough. I don’t believe the people he’s been hurt by hit as hard as me and at the same time aren’t as calculated as me, so they might land a few good shots but are they good finishers? Have they got good set ups? I don’t think they have.
“I think Lara is a big puncher, not calculated, he doesn’t do what he needs to do. He’s not a great finisher in the sense like, gets someone hurt and knows what he’s got to do to set it up. He rushes sometimes, but I believe I’m one of the biggest punchers in the division. Not only that, I can set it up and I’m calculated.”
The discourse between the pair in the lead up to the fight has been largely civil, but as the first bell inches closer the confidence levels of both camps is starting to rise.
“I believe he’s going to make the same mistakes he makes and do the same things he always does,” Wood said.
“I know that I’m going to be dominant the majority of the fight. I’m going to beat him up at times as well. I’m here to win and he’s here to win as well. I know what I need to do to win and I’m confident of doing it.”
Former two-time IBF featherweight champion Warrington is coming off a majority decision loss to Luis Alberto Lopez 29-2 (16) in his hometown of Leeds last December. The layoff will be the second longest of Warrington’s career following his knockout loss to Lara.
Critics have Warrington at the tail-end of his career after going 1-2-1 in his last four bouts, but he insists he still has enough left in the tank to compete at the highest level.
“If I listened to the critics I would never have got to the level that I’ve achieved now. I started off slow in my last one, and that’s it – I’ve seen better days. It were me who finished on top at the end. I still feel like I’m in my prime. I really do. I’m feeling top of my game right now.”
