As revealed on Boxing Social last week, promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed today that he is attempting a fight between Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara.
John A. MacDonald reported Wood was fit to defend his WBA ‘Regular’ featherweight title on September 24 in Nottingham against the Mexican.
Lara will be remembered for his brilliant and destructive performance against Josh Warrington in February 2021. That night ended brutally for the ‘Leeds Warrior’ unbeaten streak after being stopped in the round. ninth.
The two then met again in a highly-anticipated outdoor rematch at Headingley Stadium seven months later. Sadly, as soon as the fight started, it ended after an accidental clash of the two ends resulted in Lara being slashed in the left eye.
The powerful puncher ‘Bronco’ then continued to beat Emilio Sanchez in three rounds in March of this year.
In the same month, Warrington advanced and became a two-time IBF featherweight champion defeating Kiko Martinez in another contest.
During today’s media events for his Dalton Smith-Sam O’Maison card on Saturday, Hearn to Chris Lloyd of DAZN that Wood wants to test Lara.
“Leigh Wood looks set to defend his title at the end of September. I would say it, he wants to and we are trying to make Mauricio Lara the best ball mover.”
“I’ll say it…we’re trying to make Mauricio Lara” @eddiehearn above @itsLeighWoodthe next fight and the next six months of boxing pic.twitter.com/t1ZMhDL0m8
– DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 4, 2022
Wood was hoping to get a shot against WBA ‘Super’ champion Leo Santa Cruz. However, the proposed split was appealed by Hearn, who believed that his title holder should be entitled to more than 25%.
The purse auction for that fight will be held on August 12, but Wood may now be heading for a collision with Lara, Hearn said.
“We have a problem with Santa Cruz; we have potential [Josh] Unify Warrington for next year. And Leigh Wood and (coach) Ben Davison, especially Leigh Wood said, ‘I like Mauricio Lara’”
“It’s a big and fair fight for him to even weigh in and it’s a fight we’re looking at.”
The Nottingham boxer was knocked out in the first round and looks set to be headed for a setback in his first title defense.
The final two rounds that create the drama will be talked about for years to come. Conlan was knocked out in the penultimate session before being eliminated in round 12order witnessed the Northern Ireland man fall over the rope and break out of the ring.
