Leigh Wood sensationally knocked out Josh Warrington in the seventh round of their meeting at the Sheffield Arena to retain his WBA featherweight title, despite being well behind on the cards at the time.
Wood was making the first defence of his second reign of the belt, after avenging a defeat to Mauricio Lara in some style last time out, widely outscoring the Mexican in May, while Warrington was coming off a loss, shipping his IBF crown in a majority decision reverse to Luis Alberto Lopez last December.
Warrington began well, landing a decent left hook in the opening round, and although Wood had success of his own in the second, the Leeds man had him hurt in the third.
The 32-year-old former two-time world champion continued his good work in round four, with his movement in and out of range causing the champion problems, and the Nottingham man looked to be staggered once more in the fifth, as his nightmare start continued.
The 35-year-old’s defence was leaky, and Warrington was well on top as the contest reached halfway, and although he was docked a point for a shot to the back of the head he was in control, but all that changed in round seven.
A two-fisted attack from almost nowhere from Wood ended with a big left hand that floored the challenger heavily, and although he tried to continue, the fight was over.
Warrington, who said he was keen for a rematch post-fight, was ahead on all three cards at the conclusion of the contest.
Wood is likely to move up in weight for his next fight and has been linked with a meeting with IBF super featherweight world champion, Joe Cordina who defends his belt against Edward Vazquez on November 4 in Monaco.
Harper held to draw with Braekhus
Terri Harper was frustrated in her attempts to add the vacant WBO super welterweight title to her WBA belt, as she was held to a majority draw by former undisputed welterweight champion Cecelia Braekhus (37-2-1, 9 KOs).
A 97-93 verdict for Harper (14-1-2, 6 KOs) was overruled by two tallies of 95-95.
Conway halts Udofia
Kieron Conway (20-3-1, 5 KOs) claimed the vacant WBA Intercontinental middleweight title, and took a British title eliminator, as his fight with Linus Udofia (18-2, 9 KOs) had to be curtailed in the sixth round due to a badly swollen eye suffered by the Luton man.
Conway has put himself in line for a shot at Denzel Bentley, who defends his Lonsdale belt against Nathan Heaney on November 18.
Price stops Coghill
Hopey Price moved a step closer to a British title shot, as he won his final eliminator against Connor Coghill, but he had to overcome a slow start before winning via stoppage in the final round.
Coghill (14-1, 1 KO) started well, hurting Price (12-0, 5 KOs) in the second and built a healthy lead, but the unbeaten Leeds man grew into the fight, and floored Coghill in the sixth to turn the tide.
The 28-year-old was on the deck again in the penultimate round, and that knocked the stuffing out of him, as he was down twice more in the final frame before being stopped.
Remaining Undercard
Junaid Bostan (7-0, 6 KOs) got the job done early, going through his repertoire of punches before taking a sixth round stoppage win against Scottish champion, Corey McCulloch (7-4-1, 2 KOs) at super welterweight.
Nico Leivars stepped up to eight round level for the first time, and was given a good test as he defeated former Southern Area champion Ryan Walker (12-6, 3 KOs) on the scorecards at featherweight.
Leivars (5-0-1) was adjudged a 79-73 winner for the referee.
Wow we’ve got one here 👀 https://t.co/GcvF3Z4tT7
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) October 7, 2023
Cameron Vuong debuted in some style, as he stopped the tough Engel Gomez (8-19-1, 4 KOs) in the fourth of their six round contest at lightweight.
Vuong (1-0, 1 KO) connected with a big uppercut and a combination that floored the Nicaraguan, and the referee wisely waved the contest off.
Koby McNamara (6-0) opened the show, and scored a knockdown on the way to a 60-53 win in his bantamweight six rounder against Francisco Rodriguez (1-18, 1 KO).
