SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT contender Liam Wilson has told Boxing News that a fight against Britain’s Leigh Wood is of great interest to him.
Wilson, with a remarkable record of 13 wins and 2 knockouts, has arrived in Glendale, Arizona for a crucial challenge that will determine his position in the world of boxing. On Saturday (March 29), he will go head-to-head with Mexican boxer Oscar Valdez. The highly anticipated match will be held at the Desert Diamond Arena, where Wilson and Emanuel Navarette delivered an unforgettable spectacle just 11 months ago, making it a strong contender for Fight of the Year.
Wilson replaced Oscar Valdez as his opponent in February after Valdez withdrew due to injury. During the fight, Wilson gave Navarrete a tough time and even knocked him down in the fourth round. He was close to winning the WBO super-featherweight belt. However, Navarrete bounced back and in the ninth round, he knocked Wilson down and unleashed a series of punches that Wilson could not withstand.
If Wilson emerges victorious on Saturday, there is a possibility of him becoming the new owner of the WBO strap at 130lbs. He will be competing against Valdez for the Interim version, and if the sanctioning body decides, the winner may be promoted to “Full Champion status” if Navarrete wins the vacant lightweight belt and decides to keep it after his fight against Denys Berinchyk on May 18 in San Diego.
Andi Purewal from Boxing News quizzed Wilson about his future plans should he be successful against Valdez and asked if a trip this side of the pond to face IBF titlist Joe Cordina or new member of the 130 club Leigh Wood would interest him.
“Absolutely,” Wilson replied enthusiastically.
“My trainer and I recently discussed Leigh Wood, who we noticed was moving up in weight. A potential fight between us would be absolutely thrilling. It genuinely intrigues me. Once I overcome Valdez, if we can arrange that match, I would be thrilled to engage in a major showdown against Leigh Wood. It would be an incredible experience. Stylistically, it promises to be an intense and explosive encounter.”
It would be difficult to argue against Wilson’s prediction. In the space of two years Wood has been involved in three thrillers against Michael Conlan, Mauricio Lara, and Josh Warrington. The latter, which resulted in a comeback win for Wood in the seventh round, looked as though it was heading for a rematch but Warrington recently told BN he is exploring other options having accused Wood of taking too long to come to a decision.
