Mauricio Lara (26-2-1, 19 KOs) defends his WBA featherweight title against Leigh “Leigh-thal” Wood (26-3, 16 KOs) at the AO Arena in the UK.
The duo initially encountered each other in Nottingham during February 2023, in a fierce competition that resulted in Wood losing his title. His corner surrendered in the seventh round by tossing in the towel, following a knockdown from the powerful Mexican fighter.
Lara is well-known in the UK since in February 2021, at the SSE Arena in Wembley, he stunned and mercilessly defeated Josh Warrington to end the unbeaten streak of the IBF Featherweight World Champion.
In March 2022, “Leigh-thal” famously stopped Michael Conlan in the 12th and last round of his dramatic first defense of the WBA 126-pound title. The Irishman was brutally thrown from the ring to end their Fight of the Year shocker.
Wood plans to engage intelligently in the fight, steering clear of confrontations with the formidable Lara. By maintaining composure and avoiding a heated battle, Wood has the potential to emerge victorious. As in their previous encounter, Wood once again benefits from having the support of his home nation over Lara. “Many things have changed since I became a world champion, but the hunger I have to continue to be a world champion is still very big,” said Mauricio to Matchroom Boxing.
In the co-main event, former world title challenger Jack Catterall (26-1, 13 KOs) returns to the ring in a junior welterweight clash against Darragh Foley (22-4-1, 10 KOs).
Main card:
▪️Mauricio Lara vs. Leigh Wood, 12 rounds, for Lara’s WBA featherweight title ▪️Jack Catterall vs. Darragh Foley, 10 rounds, junior welterweight ▪️Danny Ball vs. Jamie Robinson, 10 rounds, for the vacant English welterweight title ▪️Terri Harper vs. Ivana Habazin, 10 rounds, for Harper’s WBA women’s junior middleweight title ▪️Aqib Fiaz vs. Costin Ion, 8 rounds, junior lightweight
Prelims:
▪️Aaron Bowen vs. Aljaz Venko, 6 rounds, middleweight ▪️Campbell Hatton vs. Michal Bulik, 8 rounds, junior welterweight ▪️William Crolla vs. Joe Hardy, 4 rounds, junior middleweight
