WBA featherweight champion, Leigh Wood, feels as though his power will be the telling factor when he defends his title against Josh Warrington in Sheffield on Saturday.
“It’s been respectful between us all camp. I think Josh is starting to get slightly aggressive, starting to swear a little bit. He thinks people will like him if he swears a little bit more. The last few days, I think he’s changing a little bit. He might even be trying to rattle me, I don’t know. Like I said, I’m cool, calm and collected and I know what I’ve got to do,” Wood said.
“I’ve been at this level many times. He’s going to do what he always does and I’ll do what I always do. I feel like I’ve always had the potential, but I was missing a little bit of guidance. I got to a high level doing things on my own, but since I’ve teamed up with Ben [Davison] it’s brought out the best in me and it’s showing on fight night. I make less mistakes and I capitalize on my opponents – it’s taken me to another level.”
For years, former two-time IBF champion, Warrington, was the irresistible force and an immovable object but since a brutal upset loss at the hands of Mauricio Lara in February 2021, his career has been something of a rollercoaster.
The rematch with Lara had barely started before an accidental clash of heads brought it to an end. He stopped Kiko Martinez to regain his IBF belt early last year, but suffered a fractured jaw in the process. On his return from the injury last December, Warrington seemed initially hesitant in the face of Luis Alberto Lopez’s unorthodox power and despite a strong finish, he lost his title to the Mexican although mental demons may have played just as big a role in his defeat as Lopez’s fists that night.
Wood senses vulnerability in the man from Leeds. The 35 year old is renowned as a ferocious puncher and carries his power late, proven by his final round stoppages of both Xu Can and Michael Conlan. He certainly believes he has the ability – and more importantly – the patience to hurt Warrington.
“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,” Wood said at a DAZN Face Off with his Yorkshire rival.