\n<\/p>\n
Their first fight in Sheffield had Warrington comfortably in control until a decisive Wood punch in the seventh round ended the contest.<\/p>\n
The rivalry had only deepened since, reflected in the charged atmosphere of the sell-out 8,000-capacity arena as the football-loving fighters entered to songs of their respective clubs.<\/p>\n
Warrington walked out to the Leeds United anthem Marching On Together, which segued into his trademark Kaiser Chiefs’ I Predict a Riot, but the travelling noise was outdone by the home crowd when Wood – wearing sunglasses and soaking in the moment – emerged to Nottingham Forest’s Mull of Kintyre.<\/p>\n
Wood edged a scrappy first round. Warrington responded with a sharp right hook and straight right in the second. <\/p>\n
The home crowd sang “Leigh Wood is one of our own”, as their man settled into a southpaw rhythm, slowing the pace and picking shots from range.<\/p>\n
He landed a crisp combination in the fifth before Warrington drew blood from Wood’s nose with a single right.<\/p>\n
Both men had lost to Anthony Cacace since their first fight, raising the stakes for what felt like a last roll of the dice. Yet it was Warrington who looked the more faded former champion.<\/p>\n
“Give them something to sing about,” urged his father and trainer Sean O’Hagan, predicting Wood would tire.<\/p>\n
Instead, the bout drifted. Wood, hands low, invited pressure but Warrington could not capitalise. The lull in action seeped into the stands.<\/p>\n
By the championship rounds, Warrington appeared to need a knockdown, but there was little sign of one coming. <\/p>\n
By the final bell, the tension had evaporated and the outcome felt inevitable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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