Its Personal Between Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara On February 18
WBA Regular featherweight champion Leigh “Leigh-Thal” Wood (26-2, 16KO) and Mauricio Lara (24-2-1, 17KO) will get it on in Nottingham Arena on February 18. Leigh-Thal has made it clear things are personal with Lara and will be looking for the stoppage.
THE HISTORY OF HOW WE FINALLY GOT HERE
Wood kicked off 2022 with a huge comeback win in his first successful title defense against Michael Conlan. Then he was hoping to score a big fight with former WBA Super champion Leo Santa Cruz in a WBA belt consolidation.
When things did not work out on the Santa Cruz front, Wood shifted focus to a fight with Lara. The September 24, 2022 showdown was postponed after the WBA champion sustained an injury.
Lara went on to destroy Jose Sanmartin on October 22, 2022. In the post-fight interview, he claimed that Wood was faking the injury and stated he should not be considered a champion. Now with this fight finally set, fans are ready for a war.
THE CHAMP HAS A WARNING FOR LARA
During an interview with Matchroom Boxing, Wood issued a message to the Mexican challenger.
“There is a massive chance I get him out of there fairly early.”
“Lara has made a big mistake with me – he’s made things personal. He said a few things about me . . . it makes me push that little bit harder and makes that little bit of needle, and when there’s a little bit of needle involved with me, you know it gives me extra gears.
So what I want to say to him is: make sure you’re ready, make sure you’re at the very best . . . because I’m coming for you!”
By: Bo Bland
