Lee Wood vs. Josh Warrington 2: Lee Wood easily bests Josh Warrington in a grudge rematch

Their first fight in Sheffield had Warrington controlling comfortably until ending the bout with a decisive woodblock in the seventh round.

The competition has deepened since then, which was reflected in the tense atmosphere that prevailed in the 8,000-seat stadium, as the football-loving fighters entered to the tune of their clubs’ songs.

Warrington came out to Leeds United’s Marching On Together anthem, which segued into his trademark Kaiser Chiefs’ I Predict a Riot, but the traveling noise was outweighed by the home crowd when Wood emerged – wearing sunglasses and enjoying the moment – to Nottingham Forest’s Mull of Kintyre.

Wood had an up-and-down first round. Warrington responded with a sharp, straight right hook in the second.

‘Leigh Wood is one of us’ sang the home crowd as their man settled into a southpaw rhythm, slowing down the pace and taking shots from distance.

He got a clear set in the fifth before Warrington drew blood from Wood’s nose with a right single.

Both men have lost to Anthony Cacace since their first fight, raising the stakes in what looked like a final throw of the dice. However, it was Warrington who looked the most faded former champion.

“Give them something to sing about,” his father and coach Sean O’Hagan urged, anticipating Wood would tire out.

Instead, the match drifted. Wood, hands low, invited pressure but Warrington could not capitalize on it. Quiet crept into the stands.

By the championship rounds, Warrington looked like they needed a knockout, but there was little sign of it coming.

By the final bell, the tension had evaporated and the result seemed inevitable.