Good things come to those who wait.
Mauricio Lara has waited since 2021 for a title shot he probably should have had immediately after defeating undefeated Josh Warrington. If boxing were run like any other sport, he might have. It isn’t and Lara watched while Warrington won and lost a title.
Leigh Wood enters Saturday (DAZN, 2 PM EST) riding the high of his two best career wins, knocking off Can Xu for a version of the WBA belt and then defending against Michael Conlan in Ring’s 2022 Fight of the Year. His wait was about when he would get the chance to be the WBA’s lead titlist. There was chatter about a showdown with previous ‘super’ champion Leo Santa Cruz but Santa Cruz ultimately opted not to continue as the WBA’s standard bearer.
Wood is elevated and facing a young, dangerous opponent with the reward of home court. Will the leather fly?
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
Leigh Wood
Age: 34
Titles: WBA Featherweight (2022-Present, 1st Defense)*
Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’7
Weight: 126 lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Gedling, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Record: 26-2, 16 KO, 1 KOBY
Press Rankings: #4 (TBRB), #5 (Ring, BoxRec), #6 (ESPN)
Record in Major Title Fights: 1st Major title fight (2-0, 2 KO including WBA sub-title fights)
Last Five Opponents: 86-5 (.945)
Notable Outcomes, Ring/LBC Rated Foes: James Dickens L10; Can Xu TKO12; Michael Conlan TKO12
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None
*Wood initially won the WBA sub-title in 2021 and defended once; since elevated to primary titlist
Vs.
Mauricio Lara
Age: 24
Titles/Previous Titles: None
Height: 5’7
Weight: 126 lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Mexico City, Mexico
Record: 25-2-1, 18 KO, 1 KOBY
Press Rankings: #1 (TBRB, ESPN), #2 (BoxRec), #3 (Ring),
Record in Major Title Fights: 1st Title Opportunity
Last Five Opponents: 140-17-1 (.889)
Notable Outcomes, Ring/LBC Rated Foes: Josh Warrington TKO9, Tech. Draw 2
Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: None
The Pick: This is an interesting fight with the potential to end explosively or drag into an alley fight. It’s hard to say which. Wood may be a little quicker than the younger Lara but Lara appears heavier handed with more offensive variety. Wood is gutsy though. He weathered some nasty moments against Conlan and dug out of a scoring hole late in their memorable affair. Lara is a steady force who will keep the pressure on, able to score with a big overhand right and a sneaky uppercut. Ultimately, this feels like a fight where edges Lara holds (youth, strength, power) will matter more than the resilience of Wood. The pick is Lara by stoppage around the seventh or eighth round.
Additional Saturday Pick
Luis Nery Dec. Azat Hovhannisyan
Rold Picks 2023: 5-0
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com