In October of 2023, Wood (28-4, 17 KOs) scored a dramatic seventh round stoppage of the Leeds man.

The time has finally come for the two to meet again. DAZN will broadcast the 12-round junior lightweight grudge match live from Nottingham Arena.

Fans might be more inclined to load up and rewatch Wood's spectacular twelfth round knockout of Michael Conlan, his win over Warrington or even his unsuccessful seven round battle with Mauricio Lara but the 37-year-old from Nottingham is maybe most effective when he can control and tame a pressure fighter.

In an early career stoppage of the dangerous Ryan Doyle, his world title winning decision over the all-action Can Xu and his rematch victory over Lara, Wood was clinical, composed and brilliant.

Wood found an inspired Warrington harder to tame.

“It's hard to look at it and say, 'How come I didn’t didn’t do it so quick with Josh?' but it could have been quick,” Wood told The Ring.

“It’s just certain things. His timing. Josh is always doing the same thing. It's not so much what he does or what is different it's more when. I think obviously by the 6th or 7th round, I figured out his 'when' and got it done.

“I can adapt. I've done so in many fights to get the victory. I don't want to give too much away because I don't want to give him any chance or insight into what I'm going to do at all. I want it to be so crystal clear and crisp and leave that ring without giving anyone any question marks whatsoever.”

Two-and-a-half years have passed since Wood and Warrington first fought but time hasn’t healed old wounds.

What started as a disagreement about the manner of the stoppage has festered into a genuine dislike.

Tensions will build as fight week passes and when the first bell does ring, Warrington will declare war. Wood will have to decide whether to match the two-weight world champion from Leeds punch for punch or attempt to take the heat out of the fight.

“Our tactics plan, it’s so clear this time,” he said.

“It's so clear. Actually, it's comical how clear it is. That leaves me with no excuses to go in there and do what I need to do.

“Winning is everything. It always has been.

“Josh never gave me any credit for the first fight. He thinks it's a lucky shot. If we walk through the whole fight, you can actually see it's not a lucky shot.

“I've got a scouting report dated from way before the fight was made with writing and videos of moments that'll hit because of certain things he does and it was clear as day. Exactly what was said, happened. It could have been a lot earlier than I did it.

“But I'm not going to share too much. I just want to go out there and do what I need to do in style and hopefully this time he gives me the credit for it.”

Bragging rights will be on the line this weekend but Wood has another major reason for wanting to have his hand raised.

He is now 37 years old and acknowledges that he is at the stage where every ring walk could be his last.

As keen as he is to hurt Warrington, Wood is more desperate to win and end his career on a high.

“It's pretty dark and then there are thousands of flashlights and torches on phones from the top of the arena to the bottom. Then you hear the fans singing Mull of Kintyre,” he said when asked to describe how that ring walk feels.

“It's very special. People say, 'Why do you want to fight again?' That's why. How many more times am I going to get to experience that in my life? Probably one more.

"If I fight again, another, but who knows. At least one more.”