Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood undercard: Complete list of fights before main event in 2025 boxing match
Context:
Leigh Wood, a former WBA featherweight champion, is set to face Anthony Cacace at Nottingham Arena on May 10, with the fight being broadcast on DAZN. Wood, who has faced significant injuries over the past 18 months, is eager to prove his resilience and capability despite the setback, emphasizing his dedication and continuous training. Cacace, with an impressive record and an eight-fight win streak, vacated his IBF super featherweight title to pursue this bout against Wood. The undercard features notable matches including Liam Davies vs. Kurt Walker for the IBF International featherweight title, and Ezra Taylor vs. Troy Jones for the WBA continental gold light heavyweight belt. Additional bouts include Owen Cooper vs. Chris Kongo and Sam Noakes vs. Patrik Balaz, making the event a significant one for rising local fighters aiming to advance in rankings.
Dive Deeper:
Leigh Wood is returning to the ring after a 19-month hiatus due to injuries, standing as an underdog against Anthony Cacace, yet confident in his preparation and ongoing training regimen.
Anthony Cacace enters the fight with a strong background, having vacated his IBF super featherweight title after defeating Joe Cordina and riding an eight-fight win streak, positioning him as a formidable opponent.
The undercard showcases a co-feature between Liam Davies and Kurt Walker, with Davies seeking to recover from a recent loss and Walker aiming to build on his successful 2024 record to claim the IBF International featherweight title.
Ezra Taylor and Troy Jones will compete for the vacant WBA continental gold light heavyweight belt, with Taylor seeking to climb the WBC rankings through a victory, while Jones aims to solidify his status as a world title contender.
Owen Cooper and Chris Kongo are set to clash with Cooper looking to rebound from a previous defeat and Kongo attempting to extend his winning streak after overcoming losses for British and Commonwealth titles.
Sam Noakes, undefeated, faces Patrik Balaz, who is competing in the UK for the first time and has a five-fight unbeaten streak, adding depth to the card with their super lightweight bout.
The event is accessible worldwide via DAZN, with subscription options available, highlighting its global reach and the potential for substantial viewership engagement.
A domestic dust-up will take place at the Nottingham Arena on May 10, as Leigh Wood prepares for a massive hometown reception against Belfast's Anthony Cacace. The fight airs on DAZN.
A former British champion, Cacace (23-1) beat Joe Cordina for the IBF super featherweight title last May. He is on an eight-fight win streak but no longer holds gold, as he vacated the title to face and beat Josh Warrington at Wembley.
Ex-WBA featherweight champion Wood (28-3) went 1-1 against Mauricio Lara and stopped Warrington in Sheffield in 2023. The road to glory, when healthy, has been smooth for "Leigh-thal."
The 36-year-old has dealt with injuries over the last 18-plus months that halted his momentum. Despite being an underdog, a healthy Wood is ready to prove to the world he still has a lot to give in the ring.
"A lot of people are probably betting on that lay-off to be my undoing, but I'll prove them wrong," Wood told BBC East Midlands Today via BBC.com. "It's been 19 months out of the ring, but not out of the gym. I've always been working, doing what I can do and living the life.
"That is what will pay dividends for me on fight night. I live the life. It's not just for a week, but it's week in, week out, year in and year out. I'm extremely focused, I've done everything I need to do, and I feel great."
The Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood undercard features several local fighters ready to advance in the rankings.
- Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood undercard Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Cacace vs. Wood card.
Liam Davies vs. Kurt Walker
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Davies record: 16-1
- Walker record: 12-0
- Belts at stake: IBF International featherweight title
A three-time silver medalist at the amateur level, Davies (16-1) has held British, English, and European gold. He quickly climbed the ladder at super bantamweight but looks to rebound after a loss against Shabaz Masoud in November halted his momentum.
Ireland's Walker (12-0) is coming off a busy 2024, and the two-time gold medalist looks to go 2-0 in 2025 after a decision win against Leon Woodstock.
The vacant IBF International featherweight title is up for grabs.
Ezra Taylor vs. Troy Jones
- Division/Weight: Light Heavyweight
- Taylor record: 11-0
- Jones record: 12-0
- Belts at stake: WBA continental gold light heavyweight title
Nottingham's Taylor (11-0) has won eight fights via knockout. Holding local WBC gold, Taylor is on the low end of the WBC's rankings but can move up with an impressive win.
Birmingham's Jones (12-0) has won half his fights via knockout. The English champion went 4-0 in 2024 and looks to prove his value as a world title contender with a win.
The winner will claim the vacant WBA continental gold light heavyweight belt.
Owen Cooper vs. Chris Kongo
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Cooper record: 10-1
- Kongo record: 17-2
- Belts at stake: N/A
Cooper (10-1) had held the English and European welterweight titles. His unbeaten streak ended when Ekow Essuman took him down twice last July.
Kongo (17-2) failed to capture British and Commonwealth gold against Essuman. Since that loss, the London-born fighter, dubbed "2Slick," has won three straight.
Sam Noakes vs. Patrik Balaz
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Noakes record: 16-0
- Balaz record: 13-4-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Noakes (16-0) won the Commonwealth title in 2022 and British and European gold in 2024. Living in Kent, the 27-year-old went 4-0 in 2024.
Balaz (13-4-1) competes in the U.K. for the first time. "Rocky" is on a five-fight unbeaten streak, winning local Czech gold along the way.
Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, May 10
- Start time: 2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT | 7 p.m. BST | 4 a.m. AEST (May 11)
- Main event start time (approx.): 5:30 p.m. ET | 2:30 p.m. PT | 10:30 p.m. BST | 7:30 a.m. AEST (May 11)
- Location: Nottingham Arena — Nottingham, England
- Live Stream: DAZN
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