Josh Warrington has agreed terms to face the current WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood and admitted their world title fight could take place in Sheffield.
The 32-year-old has been out of action since his loss to Luis Alberto Lopez in December and claims he is eager to return to winnings ways against Wood in October.
The former two-time IBF featherweight champ admitted they are still finalising a venue but revealed Sheffield is the most likely destination after the City ground was ruled out.
Speaking to Mail Sport about the bout with Wood, Warrington said: ‘I’ve agreed terms on my side. There have been a fair few meetings, going back and forth. We’ve been discussing venues, money, rights and all this that and the other.
‘But, I am happy with where we are now. I know Leigh wants to fight so it’s just a case of finalising a venue and finalising a the date. Then that’s it. We can it announced and we can get it underway.’
Josh Warrington agreed terms to face the current WBA featherwight champion Leigh Wood
The 32-year-old has been out of action since his loss to Luis Alberto Lopez (above) in December and claims he is eager to return to winnings ways against Wood in October
The bout between Warrington and Wood (above) was expected to take place at the City ground given the fact the current WBA featherweight champion is a Nottingham Forest fan
The bout between the pair was expected to take place at the City ground given the fact the current WBA featherweight champion is a Nottingham Forest fan.
However, Warrington has confirm the fight will take place at an alternative venue and named Sheffield‘s 12,500-capacity Utilita Arena as the likely destination.
He said concerns over the Premier League pitch ruled the City ground out and explained how Britain’s largest arena, the AO Arena in Manchester, was fully booked.
Speaking to Mail Sport, Warrington said: ‘I would have loved to have gone down to the City ground. I had a little taste of it earlier in the year.
‘I think a month or so before the Lara fight, the first fight between Wood and Lara, I went down to get a bit of promotion and get the wheels turning and I got a bit of stick from the home fans. It fired me up, it really did fire me up.
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‘I’ve always boxed at home but I’ve also fought a lot in other people’s backyards. I did that a lot in the early stages of my career. I would have loved to go down to the City ground but I understand why (they didn’t want to host the fight).
‘It’s a Premier League pitch and you’ve got 5,000 nutcases sitting on the pitch as well as the rest in and around the stands causing all kinds of mayhem. So I can understand why that hasn’t happened.
‘Manchester would have been nice. Geographically I don’t know if it’s the mid-ground but it’s a big arena. It’s the biggest in the country. London would have been good also. But, I understand they are all booked up.
‘Sheffield has been mentioned because it’s a bit of neutral ground between us both. But, I’m not bothered. Honestly, I would fight him in his own gym. It doesn’t really matter to me.’
Warrington has not fought since he lost his IBF world featherweight title to Lopez in December. Judges Adam Height and Mike Fitzgerald scored the fight 115-113 to the Mexican while Howard Foster called a draw at 114-114.
The scoring said everything about how close the brutal encounter was. Both men displayed remarkable heart and resilience to go the distance. But, it wasn’t meant to be for Warrington.
Warrington is eager to return to the top of division by beating Wood in October. However, he’s frustrated with how long it’s taken to secure another bout.
Warrington told Mail Sport: ‘You think as a fighter that once you get to world level, things just drop your way instantly but it’s not always the case. That’s what you get frustrated about.
‘I’m 32, I feel like I’m in my prime but it’s seven months since I last boxed. The gap seems to be getting and big in between these fights.
Warrington, who is a Leeds fan, said he would have been happy to fight at the City ground
Warrington says a victory over Wood will see him return to the top, where he belongs
‘Coming off an L, you want to jump straight back in there. But, for whatever reason, we haven’t been able to get back in there. It gets a bit frustrating more than anything.
‘I am a fighter that has always strived on momentum. When you look at my career, right up until the pandemic happened, I was constantly out. I was out two, three times a year and straight back into the gym after the fight to get ready for the next one.
‘Negotiations on a bigger scale take a lot longer because there are bigger gates etc, etc. But, you don’t want to waiting seven, eight months. By the time me and Leigh fight, I’ll be knocking on the door of a year (out of the ring).
‘Obviously Leigh has had a busy year so it would be good to get back to winning ways and hopefully spend my last couple of years getting some good momentum under my belt.’
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