Leighthal Returns To The Ring

Mid-May will see the in-ring return of Nottingham’s own, ‘Leighthal’ Leigh Wood (28-3; 17), following the announcement that he’ll challenge Belfast’s Anthony ‘The Apache’ Cacace (23-1; 8), for the IBO World super featherweight title, at the Nottingham Arena.

By the time that comes around, nineteen months will have elapsed since Wood last stepped through the ropes, a TKO7 stoppage success of Josh Warrington, back in October 2023, who coincidentally was Cacace’s last opponent, in September 2024 (UD12).

Speaking of his time out, and looking forward to the upcoming, world title fight, Nottingham’s Wood said: “It’s been hell to be honest, but I’ve always been in the gym.

“It’s also been a nightmare getting fights locked in; I was fit and ready at the end of last year, but the fight we wanted, we couldn’t get it over the line.

“This one, with Cacace, it’s been on the cards since then as well. I’ve been chipping away in the gym though, and I know what I need to do when I get in there.”

There has been one, niggling worry for Nottingham’s former world champion.

The period he’s spent on the ‘sidelines’ had him worrying, wondering, in regards his following, and ticket sales, once the ‘comeback’ was announced.

He needn’t have done though, the response to the in-ring return has already seen an avalanche of enquiries; and with his beloved Nottingham Forest facing an East Midlands derby, against Leicester City, at the City Ground (subject to change) that same day, it could be a great day Trentside.

At present, with Wood challenging for the world title, the Tricky Trees find themselves challenging at the top end of the Premier League, sitting third, seven points off leaders Liverpool.

“I’ve had that long out, I was kind of worried that ticket sales might be hit,” explained Wood.

“Now though, and after the past 24-hours, I’m expecting a sell-out already, there’s already a clamour for tickets.

“As for Forest, they’ve been unbelievable this season and, as a season ticket holder, I’m at the home games on a weekend.

“They’re like me in a way, have been written off, knocked down that many times, and still get back up again.”

Despite starting 2023 with a TKO7 loss to Mauricio Lara (February), Wood avenged it just three months later with a UD12 success (May), following it up with the in over Warrington, in Nottingham, Manchester, and Sheffield respectively.

Those two successes helped Wood to be named the 2023 BBBoC Fighter of the Year, as well as being named the Boxing News British Fighter of the Year and, although the passion still remains for a fight at the City Ground. It’s all about Anthony Cacace right now.

“I’m down in Essex at present, ticking over, and loving it,” grinned the former world champion.

“It’s something for me to focus on, a target set for me.

“Ben Davison and Lee Wylie, they’re my biggest assets.

“Having them in my corner, their approach is spot on; they have done and will do all the due diligence and the fans, they pick me up.

“That support, it’s unbelievable, and it will add fuel to the fight.”

The fight with Cacace though, it’s something which, like any other, divides opinion.

Wood though, has first-hand insight into his future opponent, being in the crowd for the Cacace – Warrington contest (Cacace UD12) at Wembley Stadium in September last year.

“The fight game now, it’s more about the name, who they are, who they’ve fought,” explained Wood.

“I was there for the Cacace – Warrington fight and know it’s never going to be easy, against any of them, and it was a really good fight.

“For us two though, it’s about two paths, two stories, two different journeys, colliding.”

Leigh Wood and Anthony Cacace clash at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, on the night of Saturday 10 May 2025, for the IBO World super featherweight title; the show is promoted by Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions.

Keep up-to-date with all things ‘Leighthal’ via his socials on Facebook here and X here

Peter-Mann Leighthal Returns To The Ring