Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of an iconic domestically contested world title fight; the rematch between ‘Dark Destroyer’ Nigel Benn and self-proclaimed ‘Simply the Best’, Chris Eubank Sr. at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
The event was for the world super-middleweight (12st/168 lbs) title, outdoors before a captivated crowd and, shown live ‘free to air’ on ITV Sport. Those indeed were halcyon days for boxing fans.
On Saturday, those ‘privileged few’ at the Sheffield Arena and viewing on streaming site DAZN witnessed a modern day equivalent with WBA world featherweight champion Leigh Wood dramatically defending his nine stone (126lbs) title with a 7th round stoppage to conclude a sensational /fight with former IBF world champion Josh Warrington.
The contender from Leeds, England, an underdog coming in, and deemed to be having his ‘final hurrah’, was arguably five rounds up on the cards before walking into a devastating right hook followed by an array of follow up shots. It was a riveting toe-to-toe contest throughout with Warrington’s power punching landing more regularly against the southpaw champion and forcing the pace towards Wood.
The Leed’s man bouyed on by this usual fervent support and attempting to regain a version of the nine stone title was perpetual motion and seemingly able to penetrate Wood’s defence at will. However, Wood’s shots back were respectable and keeping his challenger at bay, but he looked to be too reckless, regularly finishing exchanges by leaving his chin ‘out to dry’.
The common consensus was the champion was tight at the weight and this would be his final performance as a featherweight. This was verbally confirmed by his team at the end.
The facts of the night were referee Michael Alexander called a halt to proceedings at the end of round seven after Warrington didn’t show the necessary strength or coordination to recover after the bell rang. Warrington’s performance up to that point was excellent and he looked to have re-ignited his career. It was five years since he defeated former world champion and 2016 The Ring magazine fighter of the year Carl Frampton.
Wood, sensational in victory, rose his record to 28-3 (17 KO’s) and Warrington, a two-time IBF ‘world’ champion, dropped to 31-3-1 (8 KO’s).
It was a fight and event that deserved to be compared to the Benn-Eubank Sr. matches, possibly most similar to their first encounter which resulted in a dramatic late stoppage victory for Eubank, but although worthy of a rematch seems as though it would have to happen at 9st, 4lbs (130lbs) if that ever materialises. The recovery and long term condition of Warrington will likely dictate that but with the massive fan bases of both combatants would seem a natural and sure to be big box office.
For now, both fighters take a bow for what what we consider to date has been fight of the year in British rings. Try to catch it if you can on DAZN or other social media outlets.
The Undisputed 