Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington Fight Card, Odds, & Predictions

An all-British boxing world title match goes down this Saturday, Oct. 7, inside the Utilita Arena Sheffield in England, as reigning WBA World Featherweight champion Leigh Wood (27-3) defends his title against challenger and compatriot Josh Warrington (32-2-1). Coming off a unanimous decision victory in his latest fight, Wood is coming into the match as the betting favorite in boxing odds at -225.

🗣️𝗙𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗗@itsLeighWood vs. @J_Warrington for the WBA world featherweight title 👑#WoodWarrington 🧨 pic.twitter.com/q8aBwP9pGi

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 3, 2023

Meanwhile, Warrington is the betting underdog at +200 because he dropped his last fight in December 2022 via majority decision. Another factor for their respective roles in online sports betting is their five-fight form, with Wood winning three of his last five and Warrington only winning two as he received two losses and a draw.

Leigh Wood Recent Fight Results

Leigh Wood started his professional boxing career in October 2011 and won his first 11 fights. He first earned his boxing title match in February 2012 for the vacant BBBofC British Super Bantamweight title, but was defeated by Gavin McDonnell via sixth-round TKO. Since then, “Leigh-thal” has authored a 12-fight streak to win multiple minor titles like the BBBofC Midlands Area Featherweight title, Commonwealth Boxing Council Featherweight title, and the WBO European Featherweight title.

In February 2020, the 35-year-old received his second career loss from David Oliver Joyce via a majority decision result. But two fights later, in February 2021, Wood finally won his first major boxing world title by beating Can Xu via 12th round TKO to capture the WBA World Featherweight title. He successfully defended that belt against Michael Conlan before Mauricio Lara beat him in February 2023 via seventh-round TKO. Three months later, the Gedling, Nottinghamshire resident avenged that defeat to Lara and reclaimed his world title.

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 😮‍💨 @itsLeighWood #WoodWarrington 🧨 pic.twitter.com/CzcxFIAJdo

— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 3, 2023

Josh Warrington Recent Fight Results

In October 2009, Josh Warrington kicked off his professional boxing career with a victory over Delroy Spencer. Following that successful debut, “The Leeds Warrior” racked up a 29-fight unbeaten streak that allowed him to secure multiple championships like the BBBofC English Featherweight title, Commonwealth Boxing Council Featherweight title, EBU European Featherweight title, and the WBC International Featherweight title. Because of these wins, he earned a shot for a major world title.

In May 2018, the 32-year-old challenged Lee Salby for the IBF World Featherweight title and successfully defeated him with a close split decision. Warrington followed it up with three successive title defenses before vacating the belt in January 2022. Since vacating the IBF title, Warrington only won one fight in his last four, winning over Kiko Martinez, losing to Mauricia Lara (in their first fight) and Luis Alberto Lopez, and a draw with Lara (in their rematch).

Relentless 😤 @J_Warrington

Four days out from #WoodWarrington live on @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/BqlTnXhGK2

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 3, 2023

Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington: Tale of the Tape

Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington: Fight Analysis

On paper, the tale of the tape between the two British boxing stars is almost identical, with both standing at 5-foot-7 with 67 inches of reach. Wood is three years older at 35 than Warrington, who is only 32. Their records are also almost similar, with the defending champion sporting 27 wins and three losses, while the challenger has 31 wins, two losses, and one draw. Additionally, both are fighting in Orthodox stance.

One major difference between Wood and Warrington is their finishing rate, as the former has 59% of wins coming off a TKO/KO, and in contrast, the latter only has 26% of his own, which is reflected in their fighting styles. The “Leigh-thal” fights on the outside, often throwing various jabs to keep his opponents at bay and control the fight’s pace.

Although he fights mainly in the long-range, the 35-year-old champion also has the ability to fight in the pocket and engage in an exchange of power punches in a dangerous zone. Remember that he has over 50% of his wins are via TKO/KO stoppage. Meanwhile, Warrington excels more in the close range as he has a tight guard that doubles as a starting point of his offense and primary defense.

The former IBF champion likes to close the distance between him and his opposition to throw his signature hooks and uppercuts in the pocket. These hooks and uppercuts inflict damage and accumulate them throughout the fight, which opens up more opportunities for him in the late rounds and scores points in the judges’ scorecards.

However, “The Leeds Warrior” is not known for his punching power, which only produced 26% of TKO/KO wins. He is famous for his unlimited cardio and volume punching that outperforms his opponents, especially when he recognizes  they are already out of gas. The main key to victory for Warrington is to close the distance and fight in the pocket with Wood.

The outcome of this WBA World Featherweight title match will be decided by the execution of their respective fight plans. Wood is expected to fight on a range and control the pace through his perpetual jabs to prevent the challenger from building any flow. On the other hand, Warrington will bank on closing the distance and making this fight ugly with his dirty boxing.

Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington: Date and Start Time

October 7, 2:39 p.m. PT

October 7, 4:39p.m. CT

October 7, 5:39 p.m. ET

Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington: Fight Prediction

Official Prediction: Unanimous decision victory for Leigh Wood.