Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington will finally face each other again on Saturday, two and a half years after their controversial first fight.

A long time has passed – as highlighted by the lighthearted fight trailer, which shows both men elderly in 2075, still looking for a fight – without any love lost between the two rivals.

– Interview: Leigh Wood: Josh Warrington’s resentment battle ‘could be my last’
– Wood vs. Warrington II: how to watch in the UK, ringside times

But the rematch finally came, and for Nottingham too.

Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the competition.

Who are Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington?

The fighters are two of the most popular in British boxing, with gigantic fan bases from the proud fighting cities. Wood from Nottingham and Warrington from Leeds.

The two cities share a rivalry based on the history of their two football teams, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.

Wood is a former featherweight champion, and Warrington is a former two-time featherweight champion who has won the IBF belt twice.

What happened in the first fight?

– Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington clash in a fierce battle

Wood defended his WBA featherweight title against Warrington in Sheffield in October 2023. On the cards (58-56, 59-55 and 59-55), Wood was heading for his second defeat in three fights.

However, he rallied to score a knockout in round 7 and retain the belt, but Warrington was not satisfied.

With seconds left in the round, Wood landed a right hand and then unleashed a four-punch combination that sent Warrington to the canvas as the bell rang. Warrington immediately stood up, but his legs were shaking. He went to his corner and leaned on the ropes, but the referee waved his hand and stopped the fight.

Before the rematch, Warrington insisted that the fight be called off prematurely, but Wood disagreed.

What is at risk?

There’s no title up for grabs this time, but Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena sold out well in advance of fight night, which promises to be an stimulating one.

Add to that the history and bickering between the two fighters and there’s a lot of pride at stake.

Warrington is 35 and Wood is 37, so both are at the end of their careers.

The loser may as well retire Wood told ESPN that even victory can make him go away.

Who’s on the card?

-The next Anthony Joshua? Leo Atang is ready to forge his own path

The lead-up to the main event includes everything from title fights to rising stars.

Former UFC star Molly McCann returns to the ring in her third professional boxing fight, in which she will face Beata Dudek.

19-year-old Matchroom star Tiah-Mai Ayton is back on her feet as she fights Catherine Tacone Ramos. and Leo Atang, dubbed “the next Anthony Joshua” by Eddie Hearn, will face Dan Garber.

Sandy Ryan has a chance to become a two-weight world champion when she defeats Karla Ramos Zamora for the WBC junior welterweight belt after moving up from welterweight.

Fan favorite Dave Allen also returns to action against Karim Berredjem

In the co-main event, Ishmael Davis will defend his British and Commonwealth junior middleweight titles against Bilal Fawaz.

Full subcard:

Leigh Wood vs. Josh Warrington, 12 rounds, junior lightweights

Ishmael Davis vs. Bilal Fawaz, 12 rounds, for Davis’ British junior middleweight title

Dave Allen vs. Karim Berredjem, 10 rounds, heavyweight

Title fight: Sandy Ryan vs. Karla Ramos Zamora, 10 rounds, for vacant WBC women’s junior welterweight title

Leo Atang vs. Dan Garber, 6 rounds, heavyweight

Tiah Mai Ayton vs. Catherine Tacone Ramos, 6 rounds, women’s bantamweight

Molly McCann vs. Beata Dudek, 6 rounds, junior featherweight category