British boxing returns this weekend as Leigh Wood makes his homecoming to take on the “Apache” Anthony Cacace.
Queensbury takes a trip over to Nottingham to host a barnstormer of a main event which promises to be the best British Super Featherweight has to offer.
Wood Vs Cacace
Leigh Wood returns to his hometown after a lengthy spell out with injuries and promotional disputes but has promised his loyal Nottingham fan base a performance to be proud of. Before this lengthy time out Wood was amongst a 4 fight streak which saw some of the best fights in recent British boxing, He knocked out both Michael Conlan and Josh Warrington after being down late on the scorecards. Wood also lost Mauricio Lara via 7th round TKO (His only loss on Nottingham soil) but then got his revenge soon after winning via unanimous decision. Leigh Wood has a stellar 7-1 record when fighting in front of the Nottingham faithful this is in part to his loyalty to Nottingham Forest FC who have got behind the ex world champion.
Anthony Cacace has had a complete opposite last year or so compared to Leigh Wood. Cacace is 2-0 in 2024 capturing the IBF and IBO World Titles against some stellar names. The Irishman has beaten Joe Cordina as a heavy underdog in Riyadh Saudi Arabia on the bill of Usyk Fury 1. He then continued his great run of form to beat, ex Leigh Wood opponent, Josh Warrington in Wembley last year, the two wins have catapulted Cacace to becoming the most feared Super Featherweight on British soil.
The fight promises to be all action with the Nottingham support being in full force to support Leigh Wood but Cacace will be looking to come snatch a win on away turf.
Will the Apache run terror on the town of Nottingham or will Nottingham’s own sharp sniping Robin Hood take the Apache out?
Leigh Wood Vs Anthony Cacace Full Card-
Leigh Wood (28-3-0) Vs Anthony Cacace (23-1-0) IBO Super Featherweight Title- Anthony Cacace Via Corner Stoppage In Round 9
Liam Davies (16-1-0) Vs Kurt Walker (12-0-0) IBF International Title- Liam Davies Via Decision
Ezra Taylor (11-0-0) Vs Troy Jones (12-0-0)- Ezra Taylor Via Unanimous Decision
Owen Cooper (10-1-0) Vs Chris Kongo (17-2-0)- Owen Cooper Via Unanimous Decision
Sam Noakes (16-0-0) Vs Patrik Balaz (13-4-1)- Sam Noakes Via 3rd Round TKO
Lewis Williams (2-0-0) Vs Viktar Chvarkou (5-23-0)- Lewis Williams Via Decision
Joe Cooper (3-0-0) Vs Dmitri Protkunas (8-19-1)- Joe Cooper Via Decision
Joe Tyers (DEBUT) Vs Mario Valenzuela Portillo (8-7-2)- Joe Tyers Via Decision
Huey Malone (DEBUT) Vs Jakub Laskowski (5-35-1)- Huey Malone Via Decision
Charlie Senior (DEBUT) Vs Cesar Ignacio Paredes (18-17-1)- Charlie Senior Via Decision
Harris Akbar (DEBUT) Vs Octavian Gratii (8-82-4)- Harris Akbar Via Decision
Nico Leivars (DEBUT) Vs Darwing Martinez (8-30-2)- Nico Leivars Via Decision
Live Updates-
Main Card-
Anthony Cacace Defeats Leigh Wood Via Corner Stoppage In Round 9
Round 9-
Anthony Cacace Finishes Leigh Wood in Round 9 !
Cacace will now look for more titles after dominating the British scene at Super Featherweight.
Leigh Wood has already said he wants to get out of boxing before he gets seriously hurt and after some major fights which he’s taken some big damage it might be time to look at ending a unbelievable career. He said post fight “I’m sorry to disappoint” but also claimed “I wont make a decision right here” when asked about his future in the sport.
Cacace stops Leigh Wood via Corner Stoppage, the uppercuts and hooks were just too much for Wood who wasn’t ever going to quit but had to be saved before major damage was sustained.
The crowd and fight had come alive as Wood gets caught floating under the ropes resulting in a standing count which Wood passes but Cacace had a lot of the round to put the pressure on Wood. But Wood wont let go firing back himself even catching Cacace but the Apache forces Davison to throw the towel in after hunting Wood who was saved from his own bravery.
Round 8-
Cacace has a cut on his cheekbone and slowly bleeding from his nose which gives Leigh Wood some needed confidence. A warning to Cacace about his shots while clinching which are landing on the back of Wood’s head. A all in all better round for Wood who has the crowd behind him.
Round 7-
Wood working well to the body but looks a little less sharp than his usual self, Cacace taking advantage of this when he can by countering well.
Round 6-
Massive looping punches for Cacace catching Wood a few uppercuts leaving its mark on Wood.
Round 5-
Cacace establishing his jab now bouncing Wood’s head back a few times but neither landing massive shots this round.
Round 4-
Wood digging in a but more this round with some good combinations starting to find a rhythm, Cacace still countering well.
Round 3-
Cacace really working well in the third catching Wood with an uppercut and a few left hooks which have hurt Wood momentarily. Wood has threatened himself with some stiff jabs and hooks but looks to be on the back foot so far.
Round 2-
Wood using his jab really well in the second but Cacace has landed the left hook a few times almost threatening to really put one on Wood. Every bit of success that Wood gets the Nottingham crowd is behind him with a roar.
Round 1-
Cacace starting the fight well counter punching whilst Leigh Wood uses his home advantage to take centre ring. Both have come close to landing something with purpose but both end up whiskers away.
Ezra Taylor Defeats Troy Jones Via
Taylor wins a solid decision with a huge backing from the Nottingham crowd. Ezra put together some great combinations even rocking Jones in the 8th and end of the 9th rounds. Credit to Troy Jones as every time Taylor threw the kitchen sink Jones held firm and threw back.
Ezra Taylor will now look for a fight in a stacked UK Light Heavyweight division. Louis Edmondson from Southampton will be a keen watcher and want to get in the ring to settle some long awaited beef.
Troy Jones will take some positives from this fight mainly his chin and heart but will have to re adjust in the gym next time out.
Liam Davies Defeats Kurt Walker Via Decision
Davies returns strong after losing to Shabaz Masoud last time out.
Liam Davies will now look to return to higher levels after winning the Intercontinental IBF title which puts him in good ranking.
Walker on the other hand will have to re group and go again another day after putting in a scrappy performance.
Owen Cooper Defeats Chris Kongo Via Unanimous Decision
Kongo dominated early exchanges of the fight but Cooper returned fire the later the fight went on. Cooper took the late rounds back to win a Unanimous Decision.
Unsure where Kongo goes from here as its his 2nd loss in 5 fights to competitive opposition.
Cooper on the other hand will move on with solid name on his record.
Prelims Results-
Sam Noakes Defeats Patrik Balaz Via 3rd Round TKO
Lewis Williams Defeats Viktar Chvarkou Via Decision
Charlie Senior (DEBUT) Defeats Cesar Ignacio Paredes Via Decision
Harris Akbar (DEBUT) Defeast Octavian Gratii Via Decision
Joe Cooper Defeats Dmitri Protkunas Via Decision
Nico Leivars (DEBUT) Defeats Darwing Martinez
Huey Malone (DEBUT) Defeats Jakub Laskowski
Joe Tyers (DEBUT) Defeats Mario Valenzuela Portillo
Featured image credits to Dazn and Queensbury Promotions
