Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington both coy on retirement after lopsided rematch

Leigh Wood outpointed Josh Warrington on Saturday night to put an end to their bitter rivalry, and potentially both of their careers.

Boxing in front of an adoring home crowd at the Nottingham Arena, Wood stuck and moved his way to victory on the back foot. 

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Carrying his hands low, Wood peppered Warrington’s guard with an active jab before whipping sweeping hooks to the former IBF featherweight champion’s body. 

It was nowhere near the thrilling, high-octane battle that their inaugural encounter was, but it was considerably more conclusive.  

In the end, a disciplined Wood got his hand raised via unanimous decision, by wide margins of 119-110, 117-111, and 119-109.

It felt like the perfect way to ride off into the sunset for the 37-year-old, who defied the odds at every turn of his thrilling career.

“My body felt good, my mind felt good, I was a little bit more nervous going in because I have had a long time out of the ring,” said former WBA featherweight titlist Wood. 

“I won’t make a decision about my future on the spot, but what a fight to finish on if it is my last one.”

Warrington was similarly coy on his future post-fight.

“I have come into the fight fit and strong. But there was just something off tonight,” he said.

“I have the best supporters in the world. I am not going to rush into a decision.

“But I can’t keep coming out here and taking my fans’ money.

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“I try my best every time, I have worked my b******* off in the gym, and I don’t want to let people down.

“Whatever happens, we achieved world title glory twice.”

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