Lewis Wood retained his central area super-featherweight title with an exciting, hard-fought decision victory over Faraqat Ali at Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester.

In December, Wood, 8-2, won his title by getting off of the canvas to beat the previously unbeaten John Edwardson in a thrilling fight and he took Ali’s ‘0’ after dragging the Yorkshireman into another toe-to-toe battle.

After a tense build up in which the confident Ali, 8-1-1, talked up his chances during a fiery head to head interview, it got physical between them at Friday’s weigh-in when Wood pushed Ali away during their head-to-head staredown. Wood is represented by Black Flash Promotions while Ali boxes for GBM Sports, and there was a good crowd and a lively atmosphere inside the old venue for their cross-promotional clash. 

The talk beforehand was that if Ali could box, move and take control of the fight over the first four rounds he would have a good chance of withstanding Wood’s inevitable charge over the second half and of then taking the title. He started well, presenting Wood with a constantly moving target, flicking out his jab and negating Wood whenever they came close. Wood regardless managed to close the distance earlier than many expected, and by round four they were engaged in an attritional contest. Wood was getting the better of their inside fighting, and Ali looked increasingly tired.

Despite neither having a stoppage on their record, Wood – a strong body puncher – looked the heavier handed of the two and he would regularly score with short combinations to head and body while Ali did his best to remain competitive, via landing with his own flurries. 

After receiving a rocket from his corner between rounds, he charged out for the sixth and battered Wood back to the ropes but, having been through similar situations before, the local fighter kept his composure and came back well towards the round’s conclusion.

The action remained bruising and competitive for the remainder of the fight, ensuring that the scores appeared to be in the balance heading into the final round. With all to fight for, Wood pressed the action relentlessly, forcing Ali on to the back foot.

Wood’s final round charge ultimately proved decisive. When the referee Mark Lyson’s card was read out, Wood retained his title by the tightest of margins – 96-95 after 10 rounds.

Wood has had a crowd-pleasing style since turning professional but his results haven’t reflected his talent. He endured a terrible run which involved him falling to 5-2 and left him considering his future. Instead, he remained committed under his trainer Matt Bolton and under Pat Barrett, and he has looked a different fighter since moving to championship distance.

Wood deserves a shot at the English title, and he will be closely watching which route the reigning champion, Manchester’s Michael Gomez Jr, takes.

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