Anthony Cacace TKO9 Leigh Wood... Anthony Cacace has seemingly brought an end to Leigh Wood's career after stopping the former WBA featherweight champion in round nine of their contest at Nottingham, England's Motorpoint Arena. The end came with Wood runing away from Cacace and the towel flying in from Wod's corner. Cacace (24-1) retained his IBF junior lightweight title, and now has dispatched Joe Cordina, Josh Warrington and Wood in his last three outings. Wood is now 28-4.

 

Backed by an electric atmosphere, this was a hard-hitting matchup which lived up to expectations. The bell rang for the eighth and Wood came out swinging, landing to Cacace’s body. Then came a Wood right hand forcing Cacace to backpedal as blood was smeared under his right eye. The ‘Apache’ was afforded a brief rest after receiving a warning from the referee for punches to the back of the head. Despite this being a round which Wood dominated, Cacace’s threat still lingered, and he enjoyed it with a menacing smile greeting the Nottingham man as the referee pulled both men away at the end of the session.

 

A left hook out of nowhere from Cacace in round nine rocked Wood. Punches rained down from Cacace before Wood fell back into the ropes and the first knockdown of the fight. Wood insisted he was okay to the referee, but Cacace smelled blood. He continued to unload and a left to the body signaled the beginning of the end.

 

The wind was taken out of Wood who failed to stand upright as his fans attempted to spur him on. Watching the drama unfold ringside, there were calls for the fight to be stopped and for Wood, his trainer Ben Davison had seen enough and threw in the towel.

 

Afterwards, tears were visible in Woods' eyes as he showed his appreciation for the fans.