Leigh Wood v Luis Alberto Lopez Unification On the Way?
The WBA organization recognizes WBA ‘regular’ featherweight champion Leigh “Leigh-thal’ Wood (26-2, 16KO) as the division’s sole champion following Leo Santa Cruz vacating the Super title. This could lead to a significant unification with newly crowned IBF champion “El Venado” Luis Alberto Lopez (27-2, 15KO).
This saga between Cruz and Wood finally comes to an end. On the day of the scheduled purse bid, the WBA stated that the super champion had relinquished the title.
Wood has to be excited as the organization will soon elevate him to Super champion status. In April, the WBA originally ordered the two champions to fight before re-issuing a second order months later as part of their belt consolidation program.
A UNIFICATION COULD BE NEXT
With all of this finally resolved, Wood is free to pursue a unification against Lopez. The WBA champion was being targeted by former IBF champion Josh Warrington to possibly fight in the United States. Before losing the title to Lopez, Warrington blasted Wood for not being a real champion as the holder of the ‘regular’ title. He should have been more focused on the tough Mexican instead.
A stateside battle is still a viable option. Wood has never fought outside of the UK, so a fight against Lopez somewhere like Texas, California, or Las Vegas has good financial potential. He is coming off a career-best performance with a twelfth-round comeback knockout win over challenger Michael Conlan.
EL Venado is no stranger to traveling or playing spoiler. He won his first fight in the United Kingdom by stopping hot talent Isaac Lowe in 2021. On September 2021, he upset undefeated rising fighter Gabriel Flores Jr in Tucson, Arizona.
Unification needs to be the first order of business heading into 2023. Given the style of both fighters, it guarantees to be a fan-friendly affair.
By: Bo Bland
