We have another huge Betfred sponsored boxing event on Saturday night, when Mexican Mauricio Lara defends his WBA Featherweight title, he won against Nottingham’s Leigh Wood in February. The first was a fight of the year contender, so will the rematch provide the goods again? We’ve previewed this one and given you our suggested bets.
Lara vs Wood Predictions
- Mauricio Lara to win by KO/TKO/DQ/Technical Decision – 8/15
- Mauricio Lara to win in rounds 4-6 – 10/3
Leigh Wood (26-3-0 (16KO)) signalled his intent to activate the rematch clause in the contract, as soon as he had recovered from his 7th round knockout loss to the Mexican.
As good as his word, we now have a second match-up between the lightweight pair, as the Nottingham man attempts to wrestle back his WBA crown.
Many, including the judges, had Wood ahead at the time of the stoppage but for me, this wasn’t some shock out of the blue knockout.
Mauricio Lara (26-2-1 (19KO)) had been slowly but surely wearing down the Englishman and was clearly the heavier handed.
Wood had won the rounds on punch output and a come forward style but Lara was landing the harder, more meaningful punches.
Will it be a repeat for ‘Bronco’ or will ‘Leigh-Thal’ do as he has forecast and box a more sensible fight at range and stay out of the way of Lara’s concussive punches?
Where and when is the fight taking place?
The fight is happening at the AO Arena in Manchester, on Saturday, May 27th and will be broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN in the UK. The event is a Eddie Hearn promotion for Matchroom Boxing. The show will start at around 6pm, with the main ring walk taking place at around 10.20pm.
What does the full fight card look like?
- MAIN EVENT: Mauricio Lara vs Leigh Wood – WBA featherweight title
- Jack Catterall vs Darragh Foley
- Terri Harper vs Ivana Habazin – WBA super-welterweight title
- Campbell Hatton vs Michal Bulik
- Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson
- Aqib Fiaz vs Costin Ion
- Aaron Bowen vs Aljaz Venko
- William Crolla vs Joe Hardy
(subject to change)
Who’s the favourite?
Lara is the 4/11 favourite for this massive fight, with Wood out at 9/4. If you fancy this one to be a closer affair than the first meeting, then the draw is available at 16/1.
What’s been said?
Lara:
“Last time it was a calm performance but it’s been a great training camp and I want to back up and cement that victory.
I want to do it in quicker fashion and I’ll be looking for that knockout from the very first round.
Big things are to come but Leigh Wood isn’t an easy fighter and I need to make sure I cement the victory and then make history in this sport”
Wood:
(on having other opportunities: “There was never any other thought in my mind, that anything else was going to happen. It was so frustrating how the fight finished.
It’s a fast turnaround but it’s one that favours me. I’ve been straight back in training and I’m ready to get my belt back.
Now we know what he does when I do certain things and it allows us to prepare better for it.
It’s a must win fight, there’s a lot of pressure but I love it”
Mauricio Lara to win by KO/TKO/DQ/Technical Decision – 8/15
I am doubling down on my predictions that I made in my Fight Preview of the first fight between the pair.
I simply don’t see a way that Wood goes the full distance with Lara, enabling him to win a potential decision.
Lara hits harder, knows he can hurt the Nottingham man and will be more likely to walk through Wood’s lighter punches to achieve his knockout victory
Mauricio Lara to win in rounds 4-6 – 10/3
I was one round out last time but as Bronco mentioned, he is keen to get this one done earlier and I think a spread of 4-6 looks likely.
Enjoy the fight and good luck!
*All prices correct at the time of writing.
Share Article
