By: Sean Crose
The WBA featherweight world champion title will take place on Saturday in Nottingham, England when Mauricio Lara 25-2-1 takes on defending champion Leigh Wood 26-2 in a scheduled 12th round match at Motorpoint Arena . British tennis player Wood, whose last match delivered a year-end knock-out when he actually knocked the ferocious Michael Conlan out of the ring last March, will clearly be the local hero to step in. this weekend to face Lara of Mexico. However, Lara was not one to get discouraged easily.
“It was a tough fight,” Lara said of last year’s Wood-Conlan loss. “We know he’s harmed going into this fight, but he’s coming to defend his title and that’s what I want.” Not that the man is not grateful for the opportunity given to him this weekend. “I am grateful to him (Wood) for joining this fight. We know nobody wants to go up against me at 126 lbs for the World Title but it’s going to happen, and we know what we’re capable of.” Lara also made it clear that he realized he was going to be in a serious competition on Saturday.
“We knew it was a big fight,” he said. “We know it’s an acid test. We know Leigh Wood is a great champion but I have great aspirations and desire to be World Champion and like I said, whatever happens, I have to do it this time.” Lara went on to express her belief that this weekend’s battle could be over soon. “We know he’s a great fighter,” he said of Wood, “but it’s going to be a really tough fight for him. We know how prepared we are, we have caused discontent in his country before and that will also happen on February 18th. Believe me, if he shuts down. , the war will end quickly. It won’t go beyond Thursday.”
supporter Boxing room writes that Lara “has been patiently waiting for his first World title after a brilliant win over ‘Leeds Warrior’ Josh Warrington in February 2021 – a victory he should have been crowned IBF 126lbs if Warrington doesn’t vacate his title a month before their behind-closed-door clash. The second game against Warrington ended in a draw thanks to a cut Lara suffered from accidentally headbutting. Suffice it to say, Warrington has stated that he feels Wood will win on Saturday.
“Well,” replied Lara, “what can someone who is knocked out in nine rounds say?”
