Lara looking over a fallen Wood

Mauricio Lara Viciously Halts Leigh Wood To Become World Champion

Written by Jared Parry on 19th February 2023.

Photo Credit: Matchroom Boxing

Mauricio Lara stopped Leigh Wood in round seven of their WBA featherweight title bout in Nottingham.

‘Bronco’ was down on the cards but found a perfect left hook with 20 seconds to go in round seven to halt the hometown hero.

After a week of tense face-offs, fight night was finally here. Wood entered to a cacophony of noise, as his city came out in force to support him. Round one was fought at close quarters, that close that Wood received a cut on the side of his face from an accidental head clash.

The styles of these fighters guaranteed fireworks, and they delivered as both men would land heavy artillery. Lara’s tempo dropped in round five though, as Wood landed a body shot that visibly slowed the Mexican, as he began to fight with his mouth open.

Round six came around and Wood was clearly up on the cards, and he continued to stretch a lead. The same pattern followed in round seven until the last 20 seconds. Both men loaded up left hooks which landed simultaneously. Lara’s proved to be the more powerful of the two, as it sent Wood crashing to the canvas. Wood made it to his feet, but his trainer, Ben Davison, threw the towel, much to Wood’s disappointment.

Following the bout, it was revealed that Wood does have an immediate rematch clause. Wood was also confirmed as up on the official scorecards, which could convince him even more to rematch Lara.

An action-packed fight for as long as it lasted, but the WBA featherweight championship now heads to Mexico and will be proudly worn by ‘Bronco.’