Wood fights off talk about his future after ring return ends in defeat

LEIGH Wood insists now is not the time to consider his future after his first return to the ring in 19 months ended with a ninth-round loss to Anthony Cacace at The Motorpoint Arena.

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The Nottingham fighter, 36, was hoping to get his hands on the IBO super-featherweight title in front of a home crowd, having stepped up to 130lbs for the first time to take on his Northern Irish opponent, who arrived in the city on the back of wins against Joe Cordina and Josh Warrington in the past year.

And despite showing no signs of ring rust, 'Leigh-thal 'Wood was overpowered by Cacae in round nine, with his corner throwing in the towel amid a bombardment of punches from his opponent.