Mauricio Lara has travelled over 5,000 miles from his training base in Jiquipilco, Mexico to face WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood at the Nottingham Arena on February 18. The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will be broadcast exclusively by DAZN.
Despite his world-class pedigree, this will be Lara’s first crack at a world championship. The Mexican star made his name in February 2021, when he ended Josh Warrington’s unbeaten streak via ninth-round knockout. However, no title was at stake in that contest.
The hard-hitting challenger is therefore determined to add his name to the list of great world champions from his home country.
“We know [Wood is] a great fighter, but it’s going to be a really tough fight for him,” said Lara (25-2-1, 18 KOs) in a press release issued by Matchroom Boxing. “We’ve caused an upset before in his country and it will be the same on February 18. Believe me, if he switches off, the fight will be over quickly. It won’t go beyond the fifth.”
MORE: Watch Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara on DAZN
Wood (26-2, 16 KOs) is in the form of his life. He picked up the WBA “regular” title at the expense of Can Xu (TKO 12) in July 2021, and defended it successfully against Michael Conlan (TKO 12) in The Ring Magazine Fight of the Year for 2022. The dramatic Conlan win was also picked as The Sporting News’ 2022 Knockout of the Year.
The Englishman, who has since been upgrade to full champion, was the betting underdog on both occasions and he’s the underdog once again. But regardless of Lara’s reputation and the odds, Wood remains unfazed.
Who is Mauricio Lara?
Lara, 24, hails from Mexico City and has been boxing professionally since October 2015.
“Bronco” lost his debut via four-round split decision before putting together an 11-fight win streak. However, Lara was derailed for a second time, in May 2018, when he was knocked out in a single round by unheralded countryman Eliot Chavez.
That was the last time he lost a fight.
MORE: Leigh Wood fearless ahead of Mauricio Lara bout
Since then, Lara has gone 14-0-1 (12 KOs) and is universally recognised as one of the finest featherweights in the world today. He is currently rated No. 4 by The Ring at 126 pounds, while Wood is rated No. 6.
The Warrington victory was a career highlight against the odds. While the rematch ended in a disappointing technical draw, Lara regained his momentum with two pulverising third-round knockouts over Emilio Sanchez and Jose Sanmartin.
How to watch Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara
Country
Date
Channel + Live Stream (main card)
United States
Sat. February 18
DAZN
United Kingdom
Sat. February 18
DAZN
Australia
Sun. February 19
DAZN
The Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara fight card will be available via DAZN.
MORE: Watch Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara on DAZN
Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara price: How much does the card cost?
DAZN monthly subscription: $19.99, $24.99 in Canada, ?7.99 in the U.K., 13.99 AUD
DAZN annual subscription: $149.99, $199.99 in Canada
To watch Wood vs. Lara, you can either pay for a DAZN monthly subscription ($19.99) or an annual subscription ($149.99). In Canada, a DAZN monthly subscription is $24.99, while an annual subscription is $199.99.
In Australia, it costs 13.99 AUD a month. It costs ?7.99 for a monthly subscription in the U.K.
When is Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara?
Date: Saturday, February 18 | Sunday, February 19
Main card: 2 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. GMT | 6 a.m. AEDT
Main event: 5 p.m. ET | 10 p.m. GMT | 9 a.m. AEDT (approx.)
Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara fight on February 18. The main card starts at 2 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. GMT | 6 a.m. AEDT. Wood and Lara should make their way to the ring around 5 p.m. ET | 10 p.m. GMT | 9 a.m. AEDT, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
MORE: Breaking down the undercard of Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara
Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara fight card
Leigh Wood (c) vs. Mauricio Lara for the WBA featherweight title
Dalton Smith vs. Billy Allington
Gary Cully vs. Wilfredo Flores
Gamal Yafai vs. Diego Ruiz
Keiron Conway vs. Jorge Silva
Cheavon Clarke vs. Dec Spelman
