On Saturday night time, Lewis Wooden, 8-2, and Josh Holmes, 15-0 (5 KOs), will battle for the English tremendous featherweight title.
The 130lb battle might be overshadowed by a few different large occasions going down in varied locations world wide however, by way of motion, it might nicely be the perfect battle of the weekend.
Some imagine the battle-hardened, in-form Wooden’s relentless type might be an excessive amount of for the comparatively untested Holmes. Others, nevertheless, assume the skilful, unbeaten 29-year-old can have an excessive amount of high quality and eventually realise his undoubted promise.
All people is anticipating an thrilling, hard-fought battle.
On Wednesday afternoon, Black Flash Promotions hosted the ultimate press convention and Wooden and Holmes got here head to head in an empty nightclub in Manchester. There was no trash discuss. There was no pushing and shoving. Simply the plain stress that fills a room when two well-matched, hungry fighters see one another on battle week.
“That is what you are in boxing for, is not it?” Wooden advised BoxingScene. “On the finish of the day, you have to take a look at your self and see how far you possibly can go together with it and I imagine – I’m 100% assured – I’m going to get my job carried out Saturday night time.”
Wooden is in excellent kind. Those that have by no means seen the 30-year-old from Salford battle will look at his BoxRec, see it stained by losses to journeymen Karl Sampson and Tatenda Mangombe, and instantly place a restrict on his potential. But, from his debut, Wooden all the time seemed like having what it took to contest the key home titles. He simply misplaced his manner.
He continued and issues have fallen into place. Final December he gained the Central Space title by outlasting the undefeated John Edwardson in top-of-the-line fights of 2023 and, in July, he defended it by outpointing one other undefeated fighter, Frak Ali, in one other excellent battle. Wooden places his enchancment all the way down to pure laborious work.
“It is laborious for me to say, actually,” he stated.
“I’ve simply been myself actually, and put within the laborious work. It simply clicked. I put the laborious work in, believed in myself, and that is how you are able to do it.
“I had a bit damage at first of the 12 months, after which, clearly, I fought in July, had a great win after which, on to this one now. I am wanting ahead to it. It’s a proper battle.”
Wooden believes that as disappointing as these shock early defeats had been, they taught him invaluable classes. Perhaps most significantly he realized simply how a lot he needed to succeed. Wooden believes that his swarming, body-punching type might be an excessive amount of for Holmes to deal with but when the battle develops into the powerful battle many predict, Wooden will enter the second half of the battle protected within the data that he has needed to dig deep in a manner that Holmes hasn’t but needed to.
“ I feel that can play an element as nicely, however I simply imagine I am the higher fighter so let’s have a look at on Saturday night time,” he stated.
“He is good at what he does. He is a little bit of a slipper, mover and stuff like that however I simply imagine my type can fight all of them.
“He doesn’t know what it appears like to sit down in a dressing room after shedding a battle you shouldn’t have. I do and I don’t wish to really feel it once more.”
Whereas Wooden has endured his share of ups and downs within the ring, Holmes’ challenges have primarily come outdoors of it.
Critical hand accidents restricted his progress early in his profession and he needed to battle some lengthy durations of inactivity. Holmes has compiled a protracted unbeaten document however has by no means boxed at title degree and Wooden might be his hardest opponent thus far.
Since linking up with Joe Gallagher in March 2023, issues have steadily improved. Holmes has boxed 5 instances over the previous 18 months, racking up some helpful rounds and – importantly contemplating Wooden’s engine – accomplished the 10-round distance for the primary time in June.
“It has been a very long time coming. I’ve needed it for probably two years. I have been calling my supervisor Kevin for it. ‘When can I get that English title? When can I get that English?’ He’s lastly come and delivered it, so it is my time to take it now,” Holmes stated.
“I’ve had some unhealthy luck with accidents, however that is all cleared up now and I am raring to go.”
Holmes possesses actual expertise. He has fast arms and a slick type however he’s additionally completely satisfied to get on the entrance foot and be the aggressor when he senses the time is correct.
Holmes accepts that Wooden might present him with an actual take a look at of his credentials on Saturday but in addition that the time was proper to step up. After serving an extended apprenticeship than he would have appreciated on small-hall exhibits, the data that he has an actual battle on his arms this weekend has excited him and pushed him to new ranges in coaching.
“His final two fights have been his two finest wins, so I am anticipating the perfect of him. However the perfect of me beats Lewis,” he stated. “He appears to be like like he is received an awesome engine. He throws a number of photographs. He’s busy for the total 10 rounds and I am anticipating that so I’ve skilled for that. Let’s have a look at what he expects of me, however it’ll be a great one.
“I’ve simply nailed it down in coaching this time spherical. You have received one thing to coach for, one thing to get up for within the morning and I’ll present my ranges, I feel, on Saturday night time.
“Often you do not know what the load’s going to be, you do not know if they will come to win or what, however I do know Lewis is coming to take my head off and I’ll go and take his head off as nicely.
“It is like a stepping stone. You would say it opens the doorways to those larger fights and these title fights the place I wish to be so it is a must-win.”
John Evans has contributed to plenty of well-known publications and web sites for over a decade. You’ll be able to observe John on X @John_Evans79
