A domestic dust-up will take place at the Nottingham Arena on May 10, as Leigh Wood prepares for a massive hometown reception against Belfast’s Anthony Cacace. The fight airs on DAZN.
A former British champion, Cacace (23-1) beat Joe Cordina for the IBF super featherweight title last May. He is on an eight-fight win streak but no longer holds gold, as he vacated the title to face and beat Josh Warrington at Wembley.
Ex-WBA featherweight champion Wood (28-3) went 1-1 against Mauricio Lara and stopped Warrington in Sheffield in 2023. The road to glory, when healthy, has been smooth for “Leigh-thal.”
The 36-year-old has dealt with injuries over the last 18-plus months that halted his momentum. Despite being an underdog, a healthy Wood is ready to prove to the world he still has a lot to give in the ring.
“A lot of people are probably betting on that lay-off to be my undoing, but I’ll prove them wrong,” Wood told BBC East Midlands Today via BBC.com. “It’s been 19 months out of the ring, but not out of the gym. I’ve always been working, doing what I can do and living the life.
“That is what will pay dividends for me on fight night. I live the life. It’s not just for a week, but it’s week in, week out, year in and year out. I’m extremely focused, I’ve done everything I need to do, and I feel great.”
The Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood undercard features several local fighters ready to advance in the rankings.
Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Cacace vs. Wood card.
Liam Davies vs. Kurt Walker
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Davies record: 16-1
- Walker record: 12-0
- Belts at stake: IBF International featherweight title
The co-feature will see Liam Davies vs. Kurt Walker.
A three-time silver medalist at the amateur level, Davies (16-1) has held British, English, and European gold. He quickly climbed the ladder at super bantamweight but looks to rebound after a loss against Shabaz Masoud in November halted his momentum.
Ireland’s Walker (12-0) is coming off a busy 2024, and the two-time gold medalist looks to go 2-0 in 2025 after a decision win against Leon Woodstock.
The vacant IBF International featherweight title is up for grabs.
Ezra Taylor vs. Troy Jones
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Taylor record: 11-0
- Jones record: 12-0
- Belts at stake: WBA continental gold light heavyweight title
Ezra Taylor faces Troy Jones.
Nottingham’s Taylor (11-0) has won eight fights via knockout. Holding local WBC gold, Taylor is on the low end of the WBC’s rankings but can move up with an impressive win.
Birmingham’s Jones (12-0) has won half his fights via knockout. The English champion went 4-0 in 2024 and looks to prove his value as a world title contender with a win.
The winner will claim the vacant WBA continental gold light heavyweight belt.
Owen Cooper vs. Chris Kongo
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Cooper record: 10-1
- Kongo record: 17-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card, Owen Cooper faces Chris Kongo.
Cooper (10-1) had held the English and European welterweight titles. His unbeaten streak ended when Ekow Essuman took him down twice last July.
Kongo (17-2) failed to capture British and Commonwealth gold against Essuman. Since that loss, the London-born fighter, dubbed “2Slick,” has won three straight.
Sam Noakes vs. Patrik Balaz
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Noakes record: 16-0
- Balaz record: 13-4-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Sam Noakes faces Patrik Balaz.
Noakes (16-0) won the Commonwealth title in 2022 and British and European gold in 2024. Living in Kent, the 27-year-old went 4-0 in 2024.
Balaz (13-4-1) competes in the U.K. for the first time. “Rocky” is on a five-fight unbeaten streak, winning local Czech gold along the way.
Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, May 10
- Start time: 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT | 7 p.m. BST | 4 a.m. AEST (May 11)
- Main event start time (approx.): 5:30 p.m. ET | 2:30 p.m. PT | 10:30 p.m. BST | 7:30 a.m. AEST (May 11)
- Location: Nottingham Arena — Nottingham, England
- Live Stream: DAZN
Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood fight will be available on DAZN worldwide.
A DAZN monthly subscription costs £9.99 on a 12-month contract or £19.99 month-to-month. An annual subscription will cost £99.99.
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