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Leigh Wood is Backing Anthony Joshua To Knock Out Otto Wallin in Style

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Anthony Joshua

After thrilling 2023 which saw him lose to Mauricio Lara, outclass the dangerous Mexican in an immediate rematch and then score a stunning come from behind knockout of Josh Warrington, Leigh Wood has vacated his WBA featherweight belt and is on the hunt for biggest names and biggest paydays possible in 2024.

Whilst he takes a well deserved rest and ticks over in the gym, Wood has been working the bags alongside the Ben Davison Performance Centre’s latest recruit. Two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is working with Davison ahead of his fight with Otto Wallin which takes place on the monstrous Day of Reckoning card in Saudi Arabia on December 23rd.

“It’s good to see him doing the things that I once done at the gym and practicing things,” Wood told Secondsout. “Him not quite getting things and then things clicking and then seeing him doing it in sparring. I’m excited to see him fight on December 23rd.”

Fans want to see a return of the aggressive, dominant Joshua who’s first run to the unified heavyweight title culminated in a thrilling victory over Wladimir Klitschko back in 2017. The lengthening list of trainers who have worked with him since Andy Ruiz shockingly stopped him in 2019 have struggled to extract that old aggression out of a more cautious and mature fighter. Joshua himself looks unsure and caught in-between styles, desperate to protect himself and prove himself as a boxer but much more effective when he punches in combination and falls back on the speed and instincts that made him such a force.

Only Joshua knows whether the scars inflicted by that unforgettable stoppage defeat to Ruiz are too deep to ever fully heal but Wood is sure that when Joshua climb through the ropes to fight Wallin, Davison and his team will ensure that he does so with a clear plan of action.

“I can’t say too much but I think in this fight you’ll see AJ being a lot more decisive and that’ll be down to what he’s been doing in the gym and how clear it is what he needs to be doing,” Wood said.

“He knows what he needs to do which will make him a lot more decisive doing it.

“He [Wallin] is tricky. It’s a banana skin really because he can make people look quite bad. He got a good win in his last fight but I think AJ will get a knockout and look good in doing it.”

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BOXING

Mayweather Promotions’ CEO Makes a Bold Statement on Possible Championship Fight Between, Floyd’s 1-0 Protégé Curmel Moton and Featherweight Titleholder Leigh Wood

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Curmel Moton

Last weekend, the English Boxer Leigh Wood stepped into the ring against Josh Warrington, for the WBA world featherweight title. The tension was palpable; the stakes were high, and the outcome was uncertain. As the fight unfolded, punches flew and strategies collided. Leigh Wood showcased his determination and, in the end, Wood emerged victorious with a seventh-round KO. But what if there was another contender facing Wood instead of Warrington?

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Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotion, made a “bold statement” in a recent conversation with FightHype.com. He insinuated that if Leigh Wood had gone up against Curmel Moton, Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s protégé, things wouldn’t have been so easy. Leonard Ellerbe’s words lingered in the air, prompting fans to wonder how the presence of Curmel might have altered the course of the match.

Leonard Ellerbe believes Curmel Moton would have stopped Leigh Wood

In a recent interview, Leonard Ellerbe commended Leigh on his spectacular win,” That was really good. It was really good. But Man it would have been a whole different ball game if he had been in there with Curmel.” He went on to claim boldly, “Curmel would have stopped Leigh Wood.”

Curmel Moton

The confidence he has in the 17-year-old pugilist is palpable. Being the protégé of ‘Money’ Mayweather, his name is on everyone’s mind. Curmel recently had his pro debut at the Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo event and came out of the ring victorious, which was no easy feat.

Moreover, being on Ellerbe’s radar is no easy feat. We might most definitely be looking at a bout between the English and the American native. With Curmel having the support of the likes of Mayweather, we hope for great things for the young bruiser.

The sport, ever unpredictable, reminds us that within the squared circle, anything is possible. Whether it’s an underdog rising to the occasion or a seasoned veteran proving their mettle, boxing showcases the indomitable human spirit in its purest form.

Leigh Wood bout Unlikely

Floyd Mayweather Jr has been driving this matchup relentlessly. His hopes for Moton to fight against Wood for his pro debut remained unfulfilled. Challenging a 17-year-old newcomer when you’re a two-time world champion seems utterly nonsensical. Consequently, since Wood declined the opportunity, Moton made his professional debut against Ezequiel Flores, dispatching him swiftly in the very first round.

According to Boxing Scene, it’s unlikely that Wood will accept the offer. His recent knockout victory against Warrington solidifies his claim as one of the best fighters in the 126-pound category. At this fork in the road, the opponent Moton faces seems inconsequential. He has already confirmed his return to the ring in November. However, Moton remains hopeful that Wood will accept the challenge. In a recent interview, Moton expressed his eagerness to face Leigh Wood.

The boxing world continues to evolve, with each fight adding another chapter to its rich tapestry. And as fans eagerly anticipate the next thrilling matchup, they do so with the knowledge that in boxing, the only certainty is the unexpected.

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BOXING

Curmel Moton is Already Eager For a Fight With Leigh Wood

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Curmel Moton

If anyone knows how difficult it is to become a world champion, it’s Floyd Mayweather. He may have grabbed a title in five different divisions but none of it came easy.

Becoming a belt holder isn’t easy. Nor is it an accomplishment that every fighter checks off their to-do list. In the case of Curmel Moton, nevertheless, not only does Mayweather believe that he’ll get it done, he was also hoping to get his young star to do it in his first professional fight.

Mayweather placed the biggest target he could find on the back of Leigh Wood, the current WBA featherweight champ. His goal was simple, get Wood to fight Moton in his pro debut. Ultimately, Mayweather’s plans never gained any real traction.

Wood (28-3, 17 KOs) flat-out wasn’t interested. A two-time world champion fighting a 17-year-old newbie? It simply didn’t make any sense. So, with Wood not going for it, Moton made his pro debut against Ezequiel Flores. He made quick work of his man, getting rid of him in the opening round.

Curmel Moton

Now, with Mayweather looking for his next opponent, Moton is hoping that Wood will be willing to step up to the plate.

“I’m still looking forward to fighting Leigh Wood,” Moton told FightHype.com during a recent interview.

Wood isn’t likely to take the bait. He’s fresh off a knockout win over Josh Warrington. Although it’s conjecture, the 35-year-old has one helluva argument when discussing the best fighter at 126 pounds.

At this point, it doesn’t quite matter who Moton matches up with. He already revealed that he’ll return to the ring in November. Getting punched in the face seems like a rough way to make a living. For Moton, however, he enjoys every minute of it.

“I had fun in there. I’m looking forward to doing it again.”

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