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Mauricio Lara turned the tables in his WBA world featherweight title challenge at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham in securing a seventh stoppage victory over Leigh Wood. Lara had at times been outboxed and outfought but produced a left hook from nothing to drop Wood heavily with fifteen seconds left in the round before ultimately, Ben Davison, threw in the towel feeling that Leigh was in no position to continue. However, that is not the whole story.
A tame opening round from both men saw Lara aiming to close the distance with Wood flicking the jab did see a clash of heads with Wood sustaining a deep cut on his left eye. The second was a more action-filled affair that saw Lara able to make a dent into Wood following a bright start to the round from Leigh. Wood landed his right hand frequently behind the jab. The final minute saw Lara land a looping right hand onto Wood which then saw the Mexican open up with combination punches which staggered Wood towards the end of the round.
Round three saw Wood get back behind his jab to keep Lara at bay who at this point was looking confident and loose wanting to capitalise on the success he had in the previous. To Wood’s credit, he managed this successfully. The fourth developed into Leigh regaining more control of proceedings and centre ring despite some strong bodywork from Lara, Wood landed several jabs which rocked back the head of Lara and were followed by a crunching right hand. Lara then immediately followed with a slip of Wood’s jab to land a counter right hand with the face of Wood showing signs of wear and tear.
The fifth was a strong round for Wood who was back to controlling the distance and was picking off Lara with several telling blows. The highlight was a combination from Wood late in the round on a visibly tiring Lara. Wood lands a massive hit that forces Lara in round six back onto the ropes before the Mexican responds in the last minute with a few huge strikes of his own.
Round seven was looking to be a strong round again for Wood of which he was almost in full control again keeping the distance and negating the work of Lara which at this point had very little snap due to fatigue. An exchange took place on the ropes in the final twenty-five seconds with Wood returning away from the ropes, Lara threw a left hook and caught Wood square on and sent the champion to the canvas heavily. Wood got to his feet on shaky legs and referee, Michael Alexander, was about to re-commence the action before Ben Davison threw the towel into the ring to bring the proceedings to a close. The decision was greeted with frustration by Wood and the paying audience in the arena with Lara emotional and jubilant in the opposite corner. The official time of the stoppage was called at 2:54 of the seventh round.
Immediately after the action was called Lara confronted former IBF world featherweight champion, Josh Warrington, who was watching ringside. Lara was visible in showing aggression towards Warrington reaching through the ropes to confront Warrington. Warrington when speaking to DAZN accused the newly crowned champion of spitting at him.
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that there is a rematch clause in the bout agreement for Leigh Wood to activate if he chooses to do so.
