This Saturday inside Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, a familiar rumble will rise as Leigh Wood returns to his home town to face Josh Warrington in a long-awaited rematch, nearly two years after suffering a ferocious knockout defeat in their first meeting.
For Wood, these nights are never just about titles or rivalry, they’re about representing the city that raised him, the feeling he gets when the Trent End roars, and the belief that underdogs from Nottingham have a habit of rewriting the script. SoccerBible sat down with Wood a few days out to discuss this aforementioned underdog mentality, his introduction to both boxing and football, and why his fighting style is basically a 4-4-2, but absolutely zero interest in defending.
Let's start with your childhood – How much was football part of your life as a kid?
Massive. I started boxing young, but football is ingrained in everyone from a young age. It’s the sport you play before you choose anything else. Everyone plays it in the street, at school, wherever you can. Jumpers for goalposts, volleys on the road before you’ve even been to a proper game. It’s just what you do.
What are your earliest memories of Nottingham Forest?
Primary school, running around screaming Pierre van Hooijdonk’s name. I must’ve been seven or eight. He was on fire at the time. I just remember how big it all felt and how exciting it was. Those early memories stick with you.
Do you see parallels between the atmosphere at a big Forest match and the energy before one of your ring walks?
A hundred percent. A lot of my supporters are Forest fans. They’re part of that community. When I’m in Nottingham and I do that ring walk, you can feel it. It’s unbelievable. When I hear that noise, it reminds me of standing in the Trent End. Same pride. Same energy. Forest’s identity is built on resilience and history.
What resonates most with you as a fighter?
Being the underdog. When Forest won back-to-back European Cups, they were massive underdogs. That mentality of nobody expects it but you believe it. I relate to that a lot. I’ve embraced being the underdog in my career. Sometimes I feel better with that label. It sharpens you. Nottingham is a proud sporting city.
How much does representing it mean to you?
It means everything. Nottingham gets behind its own. Forest, the Panthers, all the sports. The city supports you and you feel that responsibility to give something back. That’s how it should be.
Do you get to switch off when you go to the City Ground?
Yeah, definitely. I go with my mates, sometimes take the kids. I sit in the same seats, around the same people. It’s not a shock to anyone that I’m there. I say hello, have a chat. It feels normal. I like normal life. Going to the game gives me that.
If you could take one Forest figure into your corner on fight night, who would it be?
Stuart Pearce. For his tenacity, resilience and grit. I’ve seen what he was like on the pitch. That mentality. That’s the kind of energy you want behind you.
As a football fan, do you appreciate the tactical side of the game – and does that mirror boxing?
Completely. Most of my recent success has been down to tactics. Studying opponents, watching tape, having a proper game plan. My new team approach fights in a very calculated way. It’s like football. Systems, preparation, knowing when to press and when to hold back. That’s been key for me.
Have there been Forest moments that have inspired you before fights?
Yeah. Forest have been underdogs so many times. Beating Liverpool when they were flying. Getting results when nobody expected it. Those moments fill you with pride and inspiration. It reminds you belief can change everything.
Have any Forest players reached out before fights?
Definitely. A few of the lads have messaged me. Morgan Gibbs-White’s been one of them. In my last fight I actually saw some of the boys on my way to the ring. That support means a lot.
If boxing hadn’t happened, could football have been your path?
Maybe… but probably not. When I was a kid, everyone was better than me at football. Their dads took them to training, to matches at the weekend. I didn’t really have that structure with football. That probably pushed me toward boxing. I still love playing though. I’ve done five-a-side for charity.
I’m non-stop running. I’m probably the fittest on the pitch but not got that much skill. After boxing, when I don’t have to worry about injuries, I’d definitely play more. Sunday League or five-a-side for sure.
Finally, sum up your fighting style using a football analogy…
I’d say it’s like a 4-4-2… but all attack.
Wood vs Warrington 2 will take place on Saturday 21 February, with the main card is due to begin at 7pm GMT and main-event ring walks expected at around 10pm GMT
