Warrington seemed poised to defy the odds and become a three-time world champion. However, despite being significantly behind on all three scorecards, Wood turned the tables in the seventh round with a stunning counter right followed by a devastating combination that sent Warrington to the canvas.
Although Warrington managed to get back on his feet, he appeared disheartened in his corner, leading the referee to stop the bout. This victory further solidified Wood's reputation as one of the most improbable success stories in British boxing.
Throughout Wood's career, there has been a perception of vulnerability, underscored by his previous loss to Jazza Dickens in February 2020, a knockdown by Michael Conlan in March 2022, and a stoppage by Mauricio Lara less than a year later.
That perception was reinforced in the early rounds of Saturday night's fight, with Warrington consistently outpacing Wood and appearing capable of dethroning the champion.
At the beginning of the seventh round, Warrington had a lead on the scorecards, with scores of 58-56, 59-55, and 59-55 in his favor. At that point, there were no indications from Wood that he was capable of the explosive finish that was about to unfold.
As Warrington advanced, he inadvertently walked right into a powerful counter right from Wood, causing him to stagger and leaving him vulnerable to additional punches that eventually sent him sprawling to the canvas.
Warrington displayed great determination by managing to rise to his feet, albeit in a disoriented state, as he leaned against the ropes in his corner. However, to his frustration, the referee decided to stop the fight. It was a judgment call, with arguments on both sides. Some believed that Warrington should have been given the chance to prove he could survive the remaining seconds in the round. On the other hand, the nature of the knockdown gave the referee cause to prioritize the fighter's safety.
Wood has announced his decision to vacate his world title, opting to move up to the 130-pound weight class. His next fight will take place at the City Ground in Nottingham. The speculation is that he might face Warrington again at a different weight, unless he secures an immediate opportunity to vie for a two-weight world champion title.
