Leigh Wood secured a dominant points victory over Josh Warrington in their long-awaited rematch at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, settling their bitter rivalry once and for all.

The judges delivered a decisive verdict, scoring the contest 119-109, 119-110 and 117-111 in favour of the hometown fighter.

Wood deployed an unexpected tactical masterclass, switching to a southpaw stance from the opening bell and confounding his opponent throughout the twelve rounds.

The Nottingham man kept his hands positioned low by his sides, playing the role of matador against Warrington’s aggressive forward charges.

Leigh Wood’s southpaw switch proved a masterclass that bamboozled Josh Warrington

 | REUTERS

It was a performance marked by discipline and ring intelligence rather than the explosive exchanges many had predicted.

The victory over two years in the making eliminates any prospect of a trilogy bout.

Wood’s approach caught Warrington off guard from the very first exchanges. Within ninety seconds, the Nottingham fighter had established his rhythm, picking off shots while his opponent struggled to close the distance.

The Leeds man found himself repeatedly chasing shadows, unable to time his attacks against Wood’s unconventional positioning.

Warrington’s compact style and lateral movement in the third round failed to solve the puzzle, as he was met with counter shots whenever he attempted to engage.

Leigh Wood caught Josh Warrington off guard from the very first exchanges

 | REUTERS

The fight unfolded at a range that simply did not suit the visitor’s aggressive tendencies.

Wood’s left uppercut in the fourth round proved particularly effective, the same punch that had troubled Warrington in their first encounter.

By the fifth, Warrington’s determination was leading him onto more punches rather than landing his own.

Both fighters bore visible damage as the contest progressed. Wood’s nose bled freely and swelling appeared around his right eye, while Warrington’s nose began to redden by the sixth round.

Between rounds, Warrington’s father and trainer Sean O’Hagan urged his son to maintain pressure, insisting his opponent would eventually tire.

“He’ll tire, if you keep pressing,” O’Hagan told him in the corner, imploring the Leeds fighter to give his travelling supporters something to celebrate.

Despite the electric atmosphere created by Wood’s home crowd clashing with Warrington’s vocal Leeds contingent, the explosive confrontation everyone anticipated never materialised.

The Motorpoint Arena had been primed for drama, yet Wood’s tactical discipline ensured the bout remained controlled rather than chaotic.

The animosity that had defined their rivalry dissolved entirely after the final bell. Both fighters embraced multiple times, with Warrington visibly emotional as he acknowledged his Leeds supporters, tears welling in his eyes in what may have been a farewell gesture.

“I worked hard for this and my team worked hard,” Wood said. “I’m not going to make a decision tonight but if it is the last one, what a fight to go out on.”

Warrington admitted he had recognised Wood’s tactics but could not counter them. “I was off the pace,” he conceded.

There was nothing but respect from both fighters after the final bell after a longstanding bitter feud that has now been put to bed

 | REUTERS

Wood, now 29-4, revealed he had been inspired watching Carl Froch at the same venue years ago.

He expressed hope that his performance might similarly motivate young Nottingham fighters, adding that the pair planned to share a beer later that evening.