The press conference between Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara for their exciting title bout on February 18 featured both fighters being solidly confident and prepared to grab the victory. WBA world Featherweight champion Leigh Wood will be defending his title against Lara in his home region of Nottingham at the Nottingham Arena.
Wood (26-2, 16 KO’s) is currently the only British champion in the Featherweight division which currently harbors a total of four world champions, three of which are Mexican. After first conquering the WBA title in 2021 against Xu Can (18-4, 3 KO’s), who had then been the WBA champion, he has gone on to defend his belt once against a highly-rated challenger in Michael Conlan (18-1, 9 KO’s) who he beat by stoppage in the closing twelfth round of their bout.
Mauricio Lara (25-2, 18 KO’s), a Mexican himself, can make history by becoming the final and fourth champion of the division to come out of Mexico. Wood is the second British opponent that he faces on British soil after first stopping former IBF Featherweight world champion, Josh Warrington (31-2-1, 8 KO’s), in their first fight at Wembley Arena, and drawing with the Brit in their rematch at the Headingley Rugby League Stadium in Leeds.
In the press conference held on Thursday, February 16, Lara – who looked calm and composed despite the prospect of fighting Wood at his home turf – didn’t mince any time in proclaiming himself as the future victor.
“I’m not disrespecting him in any way, but I just know what I am capable of, and I will go on to win the world title.” Lara said through his assigned translator in Spanish.
“I’ve prepared better than ever, and I am prepared, not for a fight, but a war, and I’m prepared to leave absolutely everything in there.
“I’ve prepared as well as I possibly can. I feel like this is almost my second home. This will definitely not go to the scorecards, I can tell you that. I feel like I’ve been supported on the social media platforms, and I’m going to give absolutely everything on the 18th (of February).”
Wood seemed none too bothered by Lara’s comments as he focused on his own abilities that he promised to showcase in the ring come Saturday.
“There is nothing that’s gonna beat me on Saturday night, nothing at all.” Wood said confidently.
“(There’s) nothing he can bring that I’m not prepared for, and he’s ready for a war, but I’m ready for a smart, technical knockout.” Wood concluded.
With both fighters having set their intentions to go for the finish, Nottingham Arena will surely be a spectacle for boxing fans as Wood and Lara will go head-to-head to demonstrate their talents at the highest level of the sport.
