Leigh Wood Learns Important Lessons in Defeat as He Takes Aim at Titles

Defeats hurt in any sport, but especially in boxing. They can be painful, both physically and mentally. Yet a loss is not always a disaster, as Leigh Wood can testify.

The 26-year-old was making his way in the professional ranks after a successful amateur career, reeling off 11 straight wins, when he was suddenly offered the chance to fight for the British super bantamweight title.

Despite having never fought beyond six rounds before, and despite only ever facing one fighter with a winning record, the Englishman accepted the opportunity. 

For the first few rounds in his bout with Gavin McDonnell in Hull in February 2014, it looked like the calculated gamble was going to pay off.

Wood was knocked down in the opening round, even if it did appear to be a slip, but recovered quickly to seize control. The skills honed at the famous Ingle Gym in Sheffield were clear for all to see—the jab was working well, and he mixed up his attacks beautifully, working both the body and the head.

However, he now admits he “probably showed too much too early.” 

McDonnell gritted his teeth and toughed out the opening bombardment. As each round passed, he slowly became the more dominant fighter in what had now become an old-fashioned domestic scrap. 

His relentless work rate eventually wore down his opponent, and he forced a stoppage in the sixth. Wood’s perfect record was gone, as was his dream of becoming British champion.

However, the Nottingham boxer feels the defeat may ultimately end up being a blessing.

“I’d never boxed past four three-minute rounds before,” he said. "I’d never beaten anyone who was unbeaten, nor (fought) in an eliminator, so it was a big risk.

“But it was worth the opportunity. It didn’t pay off, but I gained a lot of experience from it—I learned a hell of a lot from that fight.

“A lot of fighters are worried about keeping their ‘0’ and don’t want to lose their undefeated records. However, I wouldn’t change what happened to me for anything. What I learned from that fight has really helped me improve. The things I needed to work on were really identified.

“I know now that it’s a totally different game—you can’t show all your cards at once; you’ve got to keep something in the bank.”

Eager to climb back on the horse after falling off, Wood returned to action just under three months later. He stopped Martin Mubiru in his home city to get back to winning ways.

However, his career was put on hold when he suffered a serious arm injury during a sparring session.

"I was sparring in Nottingham, and I just threw a body shot when I completely ruptured my bicep tendon. My bicep basically shot up my arm," he revealed.

“It was quite scary. I’d never had a major injury before, and then I was suddenly in a cast. Once the cast came off I couldn’t get my arm to fully straighten. It felt like there was a lot of tension on my tendon.

“I kept doing my own physio work, and it gradually got to the point where I could straighten it to about 95 percent. I was thinking in the back of my head, ‘Is this ever going to get straight? What if it doesn’t fully straighten?’

“At that time, I just started to think I could change my style and learn to box with one arm. I was just thinking I’d find a way to make it work.

“Luckily, though, I kept working on my rehab. One of the trainers would take photographs of my arm, and once I could see the development every two weeks I was able to pick myself up. I was able to feel happier.”

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Thankfully, Wood—who is able to train full-time thanks to sponsorship—was able to make a full recovery.

He won twice in the month of March and, as he steps up his comeback, is scheduled to be in action again on July 25 in Derby, England.

His future now at featherweight, Wood is craving success: "I’ve always wanted to win a British title. But I’m 27 nearly; I’m not going to stick around if I have to bide my time for a shot at it. I haven’t got time to wait.

“Maybe the Commonwealth title will be the aim instead. I will hopefully box an eliminator for a title of some kind in either October or November.”

Wood's outlook is refreshing—the clash with McDonnell has taught him much about life in the paid ranks. He was willing to take that risk rather than continue to pad his record with comfortable victories against journeymen.

His desire hasn't been dampened by a first defeat, either. If anything, it’s made him even more determined.

Floyd Mayweather may be chasing perfection in his career, but he's an exception in the sport, not the rule. Wood should look no further than Johnny Nelson, a former Ingle pupil who lost his first three pro bouts but went on to become a world champion at cruiserweight.

A loss for a young, talented fighter doesn't mean it has to be the end of the road—just the chance to move in a different direction.

Rob Lancaster is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes used in the story were obtained firsthand, unless otherwise stated.