Lee Wood and Josh Warrington reignited their intense rivalry during a heated exchange on Thursday, leading up to their eagerly awaited rematch scheduled for February 21st in Nottingham.

Wood, a former featherweight world champion with a record of 28-4 and 17 knockouts, and Warrington, a two-time former world champion standing at 32-4-1 with 8 knockouts, are set to face each other for the second time early next year. Their rivalry has been simmering for two years since their first encounter.

In October 2023, Wood secured a dramatic seventh-round knockout victory over Warrington, despite trailing on the judges’ scorecards. Warrington had dominated much of the fight, landing more punches. Tensions flared between the two when they recently met for the first time since the rematch was announced.

Warrington expressed his dislike for Wood, citing a lack of respect following their initial bout. He admitted that he didn’t fear Wood going into their first fight and believed the battle up until the seventh round was predictable, but acknowledged the need to avoid repeating past mistakes.

Wood responded by acknowledging Warrington’s control early in the fight but emphasized the knockout win’s significance. He focused solely on winning the upcoming fight, noting that losing would undermine the credibility of their first encounter. Wood also left the door open on whether he would fight again afterward, prioritizing a win above all.

Their initially cordial interaction soon turned acrimonious, leading to a tense exchange of words. Wood confidently stated, “You need to be perfect for 36 minutes, I need to be perfect for a second or two. I’m going to hit you so hard, I can’t wait.”

Promoter Eddie Hearn highlighted the high stakes for this rematch, revealing it was a fight that should have taken place a year ago. He described the first battle as a classic, with Warrington initially dominating before Wood staged a comeback and stopped him. According to Hearn, this rematch represents a final gamble for both fighters — the winner will move on to major fights, while the loser’s career could be significantly impacted.

Fan Take: This rematch is a must-watch for fight fans as it showcases the fierce competitiveness and drama that make boxing so thrilling. The outcome could reshape the featherweight division and define the legacies of both Wood and Warrington, adding another memorable chapter to British boxing history.