Boxing fans in Nottingham were treated to a night of high drama and relentless action on February 21, 2026, as the much-anticipated rematch between Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington took center stage. Two years after their first electrifying encounter, the fighters returned to the ring, but it wasn’t just the main event that had the crowd buzzing. The undercard was stacked with British boxing talent, and none shone brighter than the co-main event: Ishmael Davis’s first defense of his British and Commonwealth super-welterweight titles against the ever-determined Bilal Fawaz.
The atmosphere inside Nottingham Arena was electric from the first bell. Fans, still recalling Wood’s dramatic knockout over Warrington in their initial bout, were eager for another night of upsets and heroics. But before the headline act, all eyes turned to Davis and Fawaz, whose contrasting styles promised fireworks—and boy, did they deliver.
Davis, having recently claimed the British and Commonwealth straps from Sam Gilley, entered the ring with a quiet confidence. Fawaz, meanwhile, was the picture of intensity, his unorthodox movement and high guard immediately setting the tone. As Alex Pattle from The Independent described, “Great atmosphere already. Fawaz stands orthodox, while Davis switches back and forth. Fawaz backs up Davis and throws some jab feints before slinging a cross to the body.” The mind games began early, with Fawaz taunting and posing, trying to rattle the champion.
The opening rounds saw both boxers probing for weaknesses. Fawaz’s jab was sharp, but Davis’s ability to switch stances—moving from southpaw to orthodox—kept his challenger guessing. According to the live updates, “Davis continues to switch stances, and the southpaw jab is working nicely for him.” The champion’s tactical versatility paid dividends, as he repeatedly found openings through Fawaz’s guard, landing clean right hooks and body shots.
Yet, Fawaz was undeterred. He pressed forward with a high guard, absorbing jabs and countering with hooks to the body. In the words of the live blog, “Fawaz marches forward with a high guard, which Davis jabs at. He times a few well, splitting the guard. Fawaz continues to taunt him anyway.” The challenger’s resilience and psychological warfare kept the crowd on edge, never letting Davis settle into a comfortable rhythm.
By the midpoint, Davis began to assert himself, backing Fawaz up to the ropes and unloading combinations. At one point, Davis “attacks the body, before unloading a left hook to the head,” forcing Fawaz to respond with quick counters. The champion’s strategy was clear: mix up the attack, keep Fawaz guessing, and capitalize on any lapse in defense. But Fawaz’s toughness was on full display—he shook off big shots and fired back, making sure Davis never had it all his own way.
The bout’s turning point came in the later rounds. Round 8, in particular, saw Fawaz mount a determined offensive. As reported, “Sharp jab lands from Davis. Fawaz stays in punching range and catches more jabs on his guard. Nice left uppercut-right hook counter. Fawaz attacks the body; Davis returns fire. Nice right hand from Fawaz—he missed five or six to land that shot. Fawaz is fighting behind his left hand. It's been much better for him. Counter hook on the inside for Fawaz in between a Davis combination. Left hand scores for Davis, but Fawaz meets him with a right hand. Fawaz lands with a duo of right hands. Davis is now under sustained pressure near the beginning of the final minute.”
That eighth round was a clear 10-9 for Fawaz, narrowing the gap but still leaving Davis ahead on the scorecards at 78-74. The challenger’s surge brought the crowd to their feet, sensing a possible momentum shift. Every exchange was met with roars, as both fighters dug deep, refusing to yield an inch.
The story of the fight was one of tactical chess and sheer willpower. Davis’s ability to adapt—switching stances, mixing up his attack, and maintaining composure under fire—proved vital. Fawaz’s relentless pressure, unorthodox movement, and psychological antics made him a constant threat, ensuring the champion could never relax. The live coverage captured the essence of their battle: “Davis gets behind his cross, landing a couple from an orthodox stance, before going southpaw again. It’s an upturn for the champ, after a good first round from Fawaz. But now Fawaz gets back on the front foot, cornering Davis as he did in round one. The crowd is so up for this.”
Meanwhile, the undercard delivered its own share of excitement. Molly McCann, Sandy Ryan, and Dave Allen all secured victories in their respective match-ups. Dave Allen, in particular, wowed fans with a blistering first-round TKO over Karim Berredjem, needing less than a minute to finish the job. “Dave Allen def. Karim Berredjem via first-round TKO (0:57). That’s actually only the fourth-quickest win of Allen’s career!” the live blog exclaimed. Allen himself joked post-fight, “Dave Allen 13.0,” poking fun at his many comebacks and renewed commitments to the sport.
As the night wore on, anticipation built for the main event. Leigh Wood, fighting in his home city, looked to make it 2-0 against Warrington, who was hungry for revenge after their first dramatic bout. Wood’s previous win—a stunning seventh-round knockout—still loomed large in the minds of fans. Warrington, with a record of 32-4-1 (8 KOs), was determined to rewrite history, while Wood, boasting 28-4 (17 KOs), aimed to cement his legacy in front of a partisan crowd.
But it was the Davis-Fawaz co-main event that provided a masterclass in grit and skill. Davis’s first title defense tested every facet of his game, and Fawaz’s never-say-die attitude made for a classic British title showdown. As the final rounds approached, Davis’s lead on the scorecards reflected his early dominance, but Fawaz’s late surge kept the outcome uncertain and the crowd enthralled.
The action in Nottingham continues, with the main event between Wood and Warrington still to come. But for fans of British boxing, the night has already delivered unforgettable moments, fierce rivalries, and a showcase of the nation’s rising stars. Whether Davis can hold on to his titles or Fawaz can complete the comeback, one thing’s for sure—the spirit of competition is alive and well in Nottingham tonight.