New WBA featherweight champ Leigh Wood ordered to face No.1 contender Otabek Kholmatov next
Straight out the frying pan and into the fire for Wood
Fresh from his masterclass performance over dangerous Mexican Mauricio Lara last weekend, two-time WBA World featherweight champ Leigh Wood (27-3, 16KO) has been ordered by the World Boxing Association to defend his black and gold title to No.1 contender Otabek Kholmatov (11-0, 10KO) next.
The 34-year-old champion from Nottingham is 10 years his challenger's senior.
In March, the WBA announced Otabek Kholmatov as their Fighter of the Month. The Uzbek participated in a featherweight eliminator contest on March 4 and dominated the previously undefeated Thomas Patrick Ward in Newcastle, England with ease. Kholmatov, 24, is one of the strongest prospects in the division and put himself one step away from a world title with the win.
From the start, he showed his superiority in the fight by knocking down Patrick Ward in rounds 1, 4 and 5, which forced the Irishman’s corner to throw in the towel in the fifth round due to the punishment he was receiving.
He will be incentivised by his most recent win in England, as any world title shot negotiated with Wood will surely take place in the champion's beloved home city of Nottingham.
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