Update: Matchroom has confirmed that Wood-Warrington will take place on neutral ground at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England, on October 7th, shown live worldwide on DAZN.
The WBA Championships Committee has approved a special permit requested by Matchroom Boxing for featherweight champ Leigh Wood, to fight Josh Warrington. Wood just regained the 126-pound crown in a rematch against Mauricio Lara last May and has a mandatory fight with Othabek Kholmatov. However, the champion’s team requested special permission from the WBA to make an optional fight against Warrington.
After a review of the case, the committee decided to approve the fight on the condition that the winner, or Wood in case of a draw, will fight Kholmatov no later than 120 days after the bout.
While the Wood-Warrington bout is taking place, Kholmatov will be allowed to make an optional fight against an approved opponent.