Mauricio Lara spits at Josh Warrington moments after knocking out Leigh Wood

19 February 2023 , 09:56

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NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Mauricio Lara celebrates with their Title Belt after defeating Leigh Wood during the WBA World Featherweight Title fight between Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara at Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on February 18, 2023 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Mauricio Lara has confirmed that he spat at bitter rival Josh Warrington just moments after knocking out Leigh Wood.

Lara, 28, produced a stunning stoppage over Wood in Nottingham after falling behind in the fight to win the WBA featherweight title. All three judges had Wood ahead before he was brutally knocked out by a left hook in the seventh round, with the Brit's trainer Ben Davison throwing in the towel despite his fighter getting back to his feet.

Warrington, who was ringside for the fight, caught the attention of Lara and the Mexican appeared to spit at him which led to the fighters being separated by security. Lara confirmed he spat at his rival as he told Boxing UK: "Of course, I did it. He's calling me a stupid man but he's like a crazy ram." Speaking of a trilogy fight against Warrington, the Mexican said: "I'm going to finish that fight by knocking him out and retiring him from boxing."

Lara knocked out Warrington when they fought nearly two years ago in London, with their rematch in Leeds later that year ending in a technical draw after Lara was unable to continue following an accidental head clash. The pair have been backed to meet for the third time and Warrington now wants the trilogy clash more than ever following their altercation.

"As soon as the fight was waved off, he looks over and sees me. I actually thought he was looking over at me a few times during the fight. He pretends to get out and go forward then he spat at me. I can have a little bit of pantomime, shouting and screaming at each other, but as soon as you spit at me I'm not having it," Warrington told Matchroom Boxing.

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

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"He was pretending to get around the ring, screaming and shouting, then he spat at me. For me, that's the lowest of lows the dirty b****rd. I want that third fight more than anything but I did also say to Leigh Wood that I'll give him the opportunity. I wasn't going to train until Monday but now I'll be in the gym tomorrow."

Warrington has won just one of his last four fights, stopping Kiko Martinez to win the IBF featherweight title last March. 'The Leeds Warrior' lost the world title in his first defence as he was edged out by Luis Alberto Lopez last December. Lara is now unbeaten in his last 16 fights after knocking out Wood.

Harry Davies