Josh Warrington issues domestic grudge match request ahead of latest tussle with rival

Josh Warrington has promised a third bout for Leigh Wood at Elland Road ahead of their rematch, in a bad-tempered press conference on Wednesday.

The pair will meet for a second time in February in the latter's hometown at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, following on from an October 2023 fight.

Wood came from behind to score a seventh-round TKO, having trailed on the scorecards, with Warrington now out to avenge his defeat this time around.

With no love lost between both men however, 'The Leeds Warrior' has already talked up the chances of a trilogy encounter during a testy face-off.

"If he wants a stadium fight, I'd give him a third," he said. "We'd go to Elland Road. We like a fight in Leeds. It'll be nice to beat him in his own back yard.

"In the first fight, it was amicable. I had nothing but respect for Leigh. But I don't know why it's taken so long [for a rematch to come]. I don't like him now.

"Since the first fight, he's never shown any respect. I thought the fight was going as I expected until round seven. Until then, I was having an easy night.

"I've got to make sure the same mistake doesn't happen again. Over the last year, I had a little baby son. It's just made me step away. I feel resurrected."

Warrington seeks bucket list opportunities in final phase of career

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

Few fighters have commanded local love quite like 'The Leeds Warrior' across the length of his career - but there's little escaping he's in the endgame now.

Josh Warrington is a two-time world champion, and deserves to be remembered as one of the best featherweights to emerge from British shores too.

Now however, despite suggestions he could fight on, the star does appear to be seeking to tie up the loose ends that remain on his professional record.

Settling the score with Wood is one of those bucket-list prospects, while a long-desired fight at Madison Square Garden or in Las Vegas figures as well.

But he will need to ensure that he makes it a statement win - his biggest for some time - against a bitter rival if he is to open the door to those chances.

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