An intriguing all-British world title clash is the bill topper at the Sheffield Arena this Saturday, as Leigh Wood defends his WBA featherweight title for a second time in his second reign against former IBF ruler Josh Warrington.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promote Wood vs Warrington, whilst DAZN televise the bill live worldwide.
Wood (27-3, 16 KOs) has grown into a superb operator, and made the most of a dream opportunity in July 2021, leaping from domestic level to rip the WBA title from Can Xu in the Matchroom back garden, stopping the Chinese champion in the final round.
The Nottingham man was underdog once more for his first defence, and he got off the canvas to score another last round win, this time a thrilling knockout of Michael Conlan.
The 35-year-old’s title was taken away though nearly a year later, as Mauricio Lara took a seventh round stoppage when behind on the cards, but Wood was excellent in the rematch, widely outscoring the dangerous Mexican.
‘Leigh-thal’ now faces the tried and tested Warrington (31-2-1, 8 KOs), a two-time IBF titlist.
‘The Leeds Warrior’ became world champion in 2018, expertly wrenching the belt from Lee Selby via split decision, and he defended three times, before running into Lara in what was supposed to be a tune-up fight in February 2021, where he was stopped in nine rounds.
A rematch proved inconclusive due to a clash of heads, and the 32-year-old regained the belt he never lost by stopping Kiko Martinez in seven.
Warrington shipped his IBF belt last time out, losing on a majority decision reverse to Luis Alberto Lopez last December.
Prediction: Wood feels like the fresher of the two, with Warrington having been in many a gruelling bout, and I feel that freshness can carry him to a points win in what should be a tight contest.
Harper battles Braekhus
An intriguing super welterweight world title unification takes place on the undercard, as WBA champion Terri Harper attempts to add the vacant WBO strap to her collection, as she takes on former undisputed welterweight champion, Cecilia Braekhus.
The contest was set for May, but Braekhus (37-2, 9 KOs) withdrew on the day of the fight due to illness.
Harper (14-1-1, 6 KOs) previously reigned as world champion at super featherweight, but moved up after a defeat to Alycia Baumgardner to take a wide points win against Hannah Rankin to win the WBA and IBO 154 pound belts.
Braekhus has only lost to Jessica McCaskill, a defeat that relieved her of her undisputed welterweight crown, and has only boxed a six rounder since a second defeat to McCaskill.
Prediction: Harper is on the way back up after losing to Baumgardner, while the Norwegian visitor’s best days are behind her. The smart pick is a Harper points success.
Conway clashes with Udofia
Kieron Conway (19-3-1, 4 KOs) faces Linus Udofia (18-1, 9 KOs) with the vacant WBA Intercontinental middleweight title at stake, and I favour Conway to take a points win.
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Remaining Undercard
Hopey Price (11-0, 4 KOs) takes a step up, and may need to go twelve rounds for the first time to take the win against Connor Coghill (14-0, 1 KOs).
Undefeated super welterweight prospect, Junaid Bostan (6-0, 5 KOs) should deal with Corey McCulloch (7-3-1, 2 KOs) inside their eight round distance, while Nico Leivars (4-0-1) can outscore Ryan Walker (12-5, 3 KOs) in their super bantamweight meeting set for eight.
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At bantamweight, Koby McNamara (5-0) can take a decision win over six against Francisco Rodriguez (1-17, 1 KO) and debutant Cameron Vuong can do the same over six at bantamweight against Engel Gomez (8-18-1, 4 KOs).
