Leigh Wood, coming off an eventful 2023 that included a loss and subsequent revenge against Mauricio Lara, and a dramatic victory over Josh Warrington, has now vacated his WBA featherweight title to seek bigger challenges and paydays in 2024. During his break, Wood has been training alongside Anthony Joshua at the Ben Davison Performance Centre, as Joshua prepares for his fight against Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia on December 23rd.
According to a report by Punch Newspapers, wood, observing Joshua’s progression in the gym, expresses excitement for Joshua’s upcoming about. He notes Joshua’s evolving style, acknowledging the struggle to recapture the aggression that defined his early career, particularly following his 2019 defeat to Andy Ruiz. The challenge has been to balance Joshua’s instincts with a more calculated approach to boxing.
Despite these challenges, Wood is confident in Joshua’s preparation under Davison’s guidance. He anticipates a decisive and assertive performance from Joshua, particularly given Wallin’s ability to complicate fights for his opponents. Wood firmly believes that Joshua will not only win but will do so impressively with a knockout, showcasing a return to form for the two-time unified heavyweight champion.