Gedling‘s very own WBA featherweight champion boxer Leigh Wood will be back fighting in Nottingham on September 24 when he defends his title against Mauricio Lara at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham.
Wood (26-2, 16 KOs) memorably stopped Michael Conlan in the 12th and final round of his epic first defense of the WBA 126lbs title back in March, knocking the Irishman out of the ring in brutal fashion to end their Fight of the Year battle.
‘Leigh-thal’ was heavily dropped in the opening round and looked to be heading towards his third loss in the pros before brilliantly fighting back to earn a stunning win that will be talked about for many years to come. After a fight with WBA ‘Super’ Champion Leo Santa Cruz failed to transpire, in an incredibly gutsy move, Wood has chosen to prove himself against one of the most feared knockout artists in world boxing.
Lara floored and ruthlessly finished Josh Warrington in a sensational upset behind closed doors at The SSE Arena, Wembley in February 2021, ending the IBF Featherweight World Champion’s unbeaten record.
Lara rematched Warrington in front of a sold-out Headingley Stadium in Leeds seven months later, but a nasty cut over the left eye of the Mexican in round two caused by an accidental clash of heads resulted in the contest ending in a technical draw.
The power-punching 24-year-old went on to blitz Emilio Sanchez in three rounds earlier this year on the undercard of Roman Gonzalez vs. Julio Cesar Martinez in another destructive show of brute force to put the 126lbs division on notice.
Wood said he was confident he could ‘get the job done’ and beat Lara.
“I maybe have a handful of fights left and I want them to be my biggest,” said Wood.
“I want to be tested. I’m filling arenas now and I want to keep that momentum going. Every fight should be a step forward, not backwards.
Mauricio Lara is dangerous but high risk high reward, I’m confident I can do what Josh Warrington couldn’t do and get the job done.”
Lara said he was ‘very excited” to be facing Wood.
“This is the opportunity that I have worked so hard for and I am not going to miss it.
“I am aware that Leigh Wood is a great fighter, but no one is going to take away the possibility of me becoming a World Champion. I’m going to England for the third time and it’s like I’m fighting at home.”
IBO Lightweight title holder Maxi Hughes will also be taking on Sheffield’s former IBF Featherweight World Champion Kid Galahad in a Yorkshire derby on the night and Terri Harper will be leaping up in weight to challenge Scotland’s Hannah Rankin for her IBO and WBA Super-Welterweight World Titles.
Tickets for the fight at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham are available to purchase online from Friday (August 26) at https://www.motorpointarenanottingham.com/online/article/artist-wood-lara
The event will also be screened live worldwide on DAZN.
