Leigh Wood has his work cut out to continue fairytale against Mauricio Lara

17 February 2023 , 16:30

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Leigh Wood is out to defend his WBA belt (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

When Leigh Wood was dropped in the first and stopped in the sixth by Gavin McDonnell for the British super bantamweight title he probably didn’t think he would be defending my old WBA featherweight strap almost a decade down the line.

Yet here he is, taking on the formidable Mauricio Lara in the second defence of the title he won against Can Xu 18 months ago.

His first defence against Michael Conlan last March in the same Nottingham Arena was one of the fights of the year. He came from behind to win that. I’m not so sure he can pull off the same trick twice against a Mexican opponent as tough as they come.

At 34 Wood has fashioned a fairytale chapter late in his career. I would love it to continue in front of his home crowd. Unfortunately I can’t see how he gets past Lara conventionally.

However, Lara does cut, as Josh Warrington proved in their rematch, which was waved off as a draw in the second. And Wood can punch. He is such a committed fighter, a risk-taker, but that is part of the problem here.

Leigh Wood vow to step towards Josh Warrington status with Mauricio Lara win

Lara is ridiculously tough and ten years younger. Two years ago he stopped Warrington at Wembley. This time he wants to go home with a world title.

Leigh Wood is taking on Mauricio Lara this weekend (Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing)

Wood has matured. He was always gangly and strung out from a weight perspective at superbantam. He has come into his full strength as a featherweight.

I love his commitment, and his timing has improved as he has got older. He has evolved from a counter puncher into a fighter who is willing to stand and take chances.

But it is very risky getting up close and personal with Lara, who is a ferocious puncher and wicked on the inside. Wood was behind against Conlan but then caught him, kept on him and chinned him in the end.

Leigh Wood celebrates his win over Michael Conlan (Getty Images)

Lara is a different beast and known for his durability. He has sparred a lot of rounds with countryman Emanuel Navarette, the WBO super featherweight champion, and is packed into the weight.

Though he lost a split decision on debut and has been stopped once, it was a first-round, flash knockdown, a not unusual occurrence in Mexico where fighters are competitively matched from the get go.

Wood did brilliantly against Conlon, and if Lara’s eye opens he could take advantage. Either way we are looking at another dramatic night in a British ring.

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Barry McGuigan