'Leeds Warrior' Josh Warrington finally lands rematch against Leigh Wood as Nottingham date confirmed
Josh Warrington has finally been given a chance to exact revenge on Leigh Wood.
The pair battled it out for the WBA featherweight title over two years ago, putting on a classic at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena in October 2023.
Warrington enjoyed almost complete control, but was floored by a flurry in the seventh round and lost via TKO.
Talk of a rematch lingered but as time went on, it appeared increasingly unlikely they would step back in the ring together.
Rematch confirmed
However, it has now been confirmed they will renew their rivalry in Wood’s hometown of Nottingham on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Motorpoint Arena.
Plenty has happened since the pair’s first meeting - with Warrington having signalled intent to retire and made a comeback during the time that has passed.
The 35-year-old put his gloves on the canvas after losing to Anthony Cacace at Wembley Stadium in September 2024.
However, the ‘Leeds Warrior’ was back in the ring in March to dispatch of Asad Asif Khan at the Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield.
Wood, meanwhile, has fought just once since his victory over Warrington. He faced Cacace himself in May this year, also succumbing to a defeat to the Northern Irish southpaw.
Past comments
Discussing the possibility of a rematch with Warrington in December 2023, Wood said: “I don't like him. I'd like to make the win more decisive this time. The build-up last time was respectful but since then he's been very bitter and it's been getting a little worse lately.
"There are two people I want to fight. I'd like [Emanuel] Navarrete because he's number one and I would like to take his spot. But the sense at the minute is the fans seem to want the Warrington fight, so that's looking very likely.”
Warrington, meanwhile, had argued he was “hard done by” as he lost to his rival.
After the fight, he said: “I'm not asking for people to offer a shoulder to cry on, it is what it is. I've been in with bigger punchers than Leigh. He can dig, obviously he put me over. Not the biggest puncher I've been in with. I just feel a little bit hard done by tonight.”