Author: Sean Close
Former IBF world featherweight titlist Josh Warrington said on the eve of Saturday’s bout with WBA featherweight world titlist Lee Wood: “I’m not upset that I’m not the favorite.” . “It’s more of a motivation. Lee is a champion and I’ve been given this opportunity, so I’m very grateful. What frustrates me is being written off. I’m done with this. “Last year, I dominated Kiko Martinez within seven rounds, dominated the second half of the Lopez fight, and since our fight, people have been talking about how good he is.”
The truth is that Warrington, a very good fighter, lost the IBF featherweight title to Luis Lopez by majority decision last December. Now he has the chance to become a world titlist again. “I’m hungry,” he said in a press conference ahead of this weekend’s game. “It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve felt like this and my mind has been in a really good place and focused during this camp and all year. The only reason I’ve ever lost is because of my mindset. I’ve always been physically good and I live in the gym and am into training, so that mindset has let me down in the past. ”
Wood himself seemed realistic about the challenge of Warrington. “Josh has had some really great wins,” he said. “Probably better than me. He’s here because of that qualification and no other reason. It’s going to be an electric atmosphere, the best I’ve ever seen.” I’m hopeful that it will be a great night, especially at the Ring Walk, where we sold more tickets than ever before, so it’s going to be a night that will go down in history. I will be remembered as one of the best featherweights in this country. I hope so.”
Wood is hoping for a glorious win but made it clear he will simply be satisfied with the win they got when they face Warrington in Sheffield, England on Saturday. “A KO is a possibility,” he said. “I’m not going to go in there betting on knocking him out, but I’m going to be dominant. I know Josh is very tough. I’ve played his matches many times. I’ve watched him ringside, and I was particularly impressed with the fight against Kiko. He was injured and when he got stopped, he almost got stopped himself, so he gave it his all and got everything he needed. I know that I can give a lot of money, but sometimes I have to work very hard in this match, so I don’t know what price I have to pay to just win a moment. I’m going to make you pay for it.”
Wood vs. Warrington will be broadcast live on DAZN on Saturday at 2pm ET.
