Leigh Wood has targeted a November ring return and believes the long-awaited rematch with Josh Warrington would ‘make the most sense.’

The 37-year-old Wood’s last outing ended in defeat at the hands of former IBF 130-pound champion Anthony Cacace, who stopped him in the ninth round May 10 in Nottingham, England.

Wood is 2-2 in his four fights since February 2023, but he is determined to get out again well before the end of the year. He is currently a contractual free agent and in conversations with both Frank Warren and his former promoter, Eddie Hearn.

The Nottinghamshire puncher has made it clear to all parties that a rematch with Warrington is at the top of his wish list. He admits, though, that progress on the matter has been slow.

“I just want to get back out there and fight,” Wood told The Ring. “I want to fight in November if possible and there are a few options for me.

“I think the Warrington fight makes the most sense, but I don’t know what’s happening with that. I’m not too sure. I think for him and for me it makes sense, but it doesn’t seem to be moving or making much ground at the minute, so I might explore other options. We will see.”

Wood already holds a victory over “The Leeds Warrior,” but it was a victory tinged with controversy. He was behind on all three cards and cut above the eye when he got his breakthrough in the seventh round.

Warrington went down after a flurry of hard hooks as the bell sounded to end the round. He was up in time to beat the count, but as he leaned over the ropes in his own corner, referee Michael Alexander waved it off.

Warrington later insisted his head was clear and only had his back turned because it was the end of the round. He has also chased the rematch and the chance to set the record straight.

“I just think where we are both at it makes the most sense,” Wood added. “He thinks after the first fight that he was winning the fight but got caught with a good shot. That’s the narrative, so I’d like to prove that wrong. I’d take great joy in doing it again because I very much dislike him.

“It’s not my only option, but it’s the most likely I would say. I’m not with a promoter at the minute and I’ve been talking to Frank and had meetings with Matchroom. I don’t know. I’m waiting for something back, so we will see.”

The two-time featherweight champion is 28-4, including 17 knockouts, after nearly 14 years as a pro. And although his defeat to Cacace, his first outing up at junior lightweight, was hard to stomach, Wood says he is not thinking about retiring just yet.

“I’m trying not to think about it,” Wood said, “but I know it’s in the not-so-distant future. For me the main thing is to finish on a high not a low. I’ve got loads in the tank, but I don’t want to keep fighting and fighting and fighting for the sake of it. I want to be performing.

“If I have my next one and I don’t perform, then I’ll know where I’m at. But all being well, I’m feeling a lot better than I was last year and on top of my game.”