2026-02-20 16:01:21
Josh Warrington has been warned being “scared of retirement can be a dangerous thing”.
As the former two-time featherweight champion prepares to return to the ring, Josh Taylor, 35, the former undisputed light-welterweight champion, issued the alert while speaking ahead of 35-year-old Warrington’s comeback bout against Leigh Wood, 37, in Nottingham on Saturday (21.02.26) night.
Warrington appeared to signal his retirement after his defeat by Anthony Cacace, 37, in 2024, laying down his gloves on the canvas at Wembley to show he considered it the end of his fighting career.
The loss marked his third consecutive defeat and followed his first meeting with Wood in September 2023, when Wood retained his 126lbs title with a seventh-round stoppage.
In that first fight, Warrington had appeared ahead on the scorecards before Wood turned the contest with what Taylor described as an “equaliser”.
Wood landed a right hand and left hook that sent the two-time IBF champion to the canvas, prompting speculation he would step away from the sport.
Seventeen months after the Cacace defeat, however, Warrington has opted to resume his career and reignite his rivalry with Wood.
Taylor said: “Being scared of retirement can be a dangerous thing. Fighters can carry on too long and take a bit too much punishment.”
He added: “But who are we to say and judge and tell people they should retire? It’s down to Josh and his dad.”
Taylor continued: “I think Josh has done well financially in the game so I don’t think that’s his motivation. He still feels he is performing well.”
He also said: “If Josh and his dad are honest with each other and admit he’s not as strong or quick, then I hope that he would leave it.”
Taylor added: “They must be seeing signs in the gym that say they can still do it.”
Reflecting on the first Wood bout, Taylor said: “I had Josh ahead comfortably until Leigh used his equaliser. So I think it is another great fight.”
He added: “That’s the inner fighter and warrior in you. You always want to get your opponent back, even harder.
“When maturity comes around you realise it’s a game of chess, not chequers and when he take a shot or lose a point, you say to yourself ‘nice one, you can have that, I’ll get you back soon’.”
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