Mauricio Lara takes World Title from Leigh Wood in Seven Round Thriller

Leigh Wood’s hopes of retaining his WBA world Featherweight title were shattered by Mauricio Lara in a thrilling contest that had the Nottingham Arena crowd on the edge of their seats. The Mexican pugilist secured a seventh-round TKO victory, despite the Englishman holding a significant advantage on the judges’ scorecards before the stoppage.

Wood was left cut around the left eye from a head clash in the opening round, but he managed to put Lara under pressure with some hard shots to the body. The home fighter appeared to be in control, finding his range and connecting with his opponent with relative ease. However, Lara, who had stopped former IBF featherweight titleholder Josh Warrington in February 2021, turned the fight around with a thunderous left hook that sent Wood to the canvas.

The 34-year-old Wood rose to his feet, but his trainer, Ben Davison, threw in the towel just as referee Michael Alexander was about to resume the action. While Wood protested the decision, it seemed the right call as Lara was in the ascendancy, and Wood had taken some heavy shots. In the aftermath, Wood congratulated Lara and vowed to be back, while promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed that the defeated champion had a contractual rematch clause.