ROLLING STONES axeman Ronnie Wood might have had plenty of fights over the years, but it’s his grandson who is showing pedigree as a real fighter.
At just 18, Leo Wood – who is the son of Ronnie’s adopted son, Jamie – is winning the plaudits because of his boxing ability.
Back in April, the ambitious teenager won the under 57kg weight class at the prestigious England Boxing National Amateur Championships, previously known as the ABA Championships, in Derby.
That success saw him invited for assessment by Team GB, who could offer Wood a shot at the Olympics when the Games heads to Los Angeles in 2028.
Leo has come a long way since he was introduced to the sport by Prince Naseem’s brother, Morade.
A member of Ropes and Glory Club in Chatham, Kent – his skills are honed by the gym’s owners, a father and son duo who share the same name, Dan Woledge.
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He told SunSport how a chance meeting with Naz’s sibling on holiday kick-started a love-affair with combat sport.
“I went out to Dubai and I met Prince Naseem’s brother out there,” he said.
“He introduced to boxing on the beach and had me practicing all week.
“When I got home, he set me up with a trainer and from then I fell in love with it.
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“I joined a club and it began from there.”
In a clip shared with SunSport, a 10-year-old Leo can be seen throwing haymakers at Morade Hamed (below).
Although refinement was necessary, a natural talent for boxing was evident even then.
“I realised I had a natural talent when I practiced on the beach,” Wood told us.
“I remember this boy who was a few years older than me wanting to box with me and I clocked him.”
In a controlled environment, in a ring, it was the best course of action for Leo, who had his troubles at school.
Full of energy, he admitted he got into scraps in the playground that got him in bother with his teachers.
Boxing gave Leo the remedy to channel his aggression elsewhere.
“I was always getting into trouble at school and fighting,” he revealed.
“I got kicked out a few times, it was how I was. I turned to sport to keep myself out of trouble.
“I played football, but that was more of a team sport and I had to rely on everybody else.
“I decided to take on boxing and it was much more exciting.”
Soon, Wood began to earn the accolades. In 2022, he won the Southern Area under 54kg Youth Title Belt.
He got a Team GB call up for the first time at 16 for assessment, and things began to snowball.
While Prince Naseem Hamed has lent his expertise and wisdom to aid Leo’s development.
“After I won my first championships, it was unreal. I knew I was good enough then,” he said.
“I beat the best boys that everyone was talking about, when I didn’t really expect to win it.
“That got me selection for Team GB, which was amazing but Covid hit and that affected my training.”
For the past six months, Wood has been fighting out of the Ropes and Glory stable.
He trains four days a week, religiously, and spars with other exciting prospects.
Amazingly, in such a short space of time, he was able to land an ABA title – defeating boxers years older than him.
“Entering the competition at jut 18, you don’t expect to beat all these guys who are older than you – with some even being 25-year-olds,” Wood divulged.
“To have seven fights in the competition and come out on top against the top adults in the country, it didn’t even feel real.”
Wood was again invited for Team GB assessment, while he is gearing up for the GB Three Nations, where he will take on fighters from Scotland and Wales.
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He’s already had 50 fights as an amateur, and admitted he is targeting an Olympic appearance.
“It would be a dream to go to the Olympics,” Wood beamed.
“If not, the pro-game is always still available. They are both great achievements to have.”
When Wood received his ABA belt, it was presented by Olympic silver medallist Ben Whittaker.
The Surgeon is a boxer the aspiring Wood admires and hopes to emulate.
He said: “I really like Ben Whittaker, especially the journey he’s made from the Olympics to now smashing it in the pro game.
“He’s got an amazing style, and I think as a pro you have to entertain the crowd which is what he does. I respect that.
“If I go pro, I’d have to do something like that!”
Grandad hasn’t seen me box yet, but he’s really supportive.
“He’s always texting me to say ‘Well done'”.
Whatever Wood achieves, inevitably his famous grandad Ronnie Wood will come up in conversation.
But, as Leo put it, “At the end of the day, I am my own person. I am me for me. We do different things.”
Has Ronnie passed on any fighting tips? “Grandad hasn’t seen me box yet, but he’s really supportive,” Wood added.
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“He’s always texting me to say ‘Well done'”.
Judging by Leo’s rapid trajectory, maybe both grandson and grandad will be stadium fillers in the years to come.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
