Leigh Wood is set to make a triumphant return to the boxing ring this Saturday at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena, facing off against Anthony Cacace, the current IBO super-featherweight title holder. This marks Wood's first fight in 19 months, a period that has seen him battle through injuries and promotional changes.

A Test of Resilience

Wood, a two-time former world champion, last fought in October 2023, securing a stunning knockout victory against Josh Warrington to retain his WBA featherweight title. Despite the long lay-off, Wood remains confident and focused. "A lot of people are probably betting on that lay-off to be my undoing, but I'll prove them wrong," Wood stated in an interview with BBC East Midlands Today.

Staying Sharp

During his time away from the ring, Wood has been anything but idle. "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," he explained. This dedication, Wood believes, will pay off 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."

Overcoming Challenges

Wood's absence was not by choice. A combination of "niggling injuries," his insistence on fighting at Nottingham Forest's City Ground, and a switch from Eddie Hearn's Matchroom to Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions, along with the accompanying "boxing politics," kept him sidelined. "I was coming off my biggest win and best year to date - I won [the British Boxing Board of Control's] fighter of the year for 2023 and then in 2024 I didn't fight. So yeah, it was extremely frustrating," Wood admitted.

Looking Ahead

Wood's return to Nottingham is significant; it's his first fight in his home city since losing his WBA belt to Mauricio Lara in February 2023, a title he regained three months later in Manchester. As a lifelong Forest fan, Wood had hoped to fight at the City Ground, but scheduling conflicts with a Take That concert thwarted those plans. "Take That did take the date, but it's not just that and there is really no-one to blame," Wood said.

The Fight Night

Wood is now solely focused on the task at hand. "I want to achieve my maximum, and I don't think I've done that yet," he added. "I'm not finished. I'll never go into a camp thinking this is my last one because that is just not the mindset I have. It's win this and see what's next."

This highly-anticipated bout against Cacace is not just a test of Wood's physical readiness but also a testament to his mental fortitude and unwavering dedication to the sport of boxing.