Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara, taking place on February 18, has a higher xV (Expected Violence) than most other fights
WHILE you can never say with certainty that a scheduled fight will be a “Match of the Year” contender, some fights tend to be safer bets than others.
For example, the recently announced featherweight match on February 18 between Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara was one that, if judged like a football match, would have an Expected Violence rating ( xV) is higher than all other matches that have taken place or are about to take place. carried out this year.
After all, it’s a battle between two of the most exciting boxers in nine kicks. It matched Wood, whose final battle was a stunning knockout victory in the 12th round over Michael Conlan in Nottingham, with someone, in Lara, who rose to fame in the UK post-match. nasty loss to Leeds favorite Josh Warrington in 2021. Added to this and so was the explosive mix, which was a WBA featherweight belt and no small amount of needles, seemingly from the previous fight. disbanded and, as always, remains a valuable marketing tool.
“Mauricio Lara made things personal between us with the disrespect he showed me about my injury and my country,” said Wood, 26-2 (16). “I will show him all about me. See you on February 18 in Nottingham – and still!”
Leigh Wood knocks out Michael Conlan at Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham on March 12, 2022 (Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
Wood, 34, who has improved more than most boxers in recent years, can be seen on social media on Monday – the day the Lara fight was announced – denying any and all praises go to him for accepting this fight with Lara. In response, he said that any praise for him should be withheld until after the battle, once he had defeated Lara, implying that a boxer – a THAT’S RIGHT fighters – should never be celebrated for just doing what is expected of them: accepting the toughest challenges out there.
He also has a point. Moreover, it is very likely that Lara, a warrior who pursues Wood’s heart, will also share this belief.
“I have been waiting for this opportunity for two years and I am not going to waste it,” said Lara, 25-2-1 (18). “In February 2021 I beat Warrington in England and now, in 2023, I will do the same with Wood. The 126lbs WBA ‘world’ title goes to Mexico; that I promised my daughter, my family, my team, and my country. Your time has come to Leigh Wood. No ‘trauma’ can save you from this now.
On behalf of all of us, promoter Eddie Hearn eventually added, “Very simply, this is a match you have to watch with your fingers.
“After the movie about his fight with Conlan last March, Leigh Wood is set to deliver another night of drama at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham against the brutal, fearless and dodged Mauricio Lara. This fight takes Leigh to the City Ground in the summer but first get ready for another epic main event and another FOTY (Match of the Year) contender in Nottingham on 18 February.”
