WBA Tells Leigh Wood to Comply or Be Stripped!
WBA ‘regular’ featherweight champion Leigh “Leigh-Thal” Wood (26-2, 16KO), after postponing his title defense against Mauricio “Bronco” Lara (25-2-1, 17KO), is possibly on the verge of being stripped.
Leigh-Thal was coming off a sensational twelfth-round knockout of Michael Conlan on March 12. He was looking to make the second defense of the title before an injury killed what many believed was going to be an action-packed affair.
On October 22, Lara had to settle with taking out his frustration on Jose Sanmartin. In the post-fight interview, Bronco expressed not believing that Wood was truly injured.
THE WBA COULD STRIP WOOD OF THE BELT
It now seems that Lara may have a valid reason for his belief. The WBA issued a reminder of a request for a medical report they requested on September 27. The sanctioning body ordered a fight with Wood and WBA Super champion Leo Santa Cruz. They also want the WBA Medical Committee to study the injury.
On October 20, The WBA issued a statement explaining per the rules, if Wood does not comply within five days, he could be stripped.
“Pursuant to WBA Rule C.33, elimination for non-participation. If a boxer refuses to participate in a mandatory defense, elimination fight, or box off, his title may become vacant, or he may be demoted or removed from the rankings.
“The body will give a five-day deadline to send documents related to the negotiations against Santa Cruz and Wood’s injury report.”
WBA
As of this writing, there has been no statement by the WBA saying they have received documents from team Wood. Hopefully, the WBA ‘regular’ champion quickly resolves this situation and revisits the fight with Mauricio Lara.
By: Garrisson Bland
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