Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara LIVE: Stream, latest updates and result tonight
Re-live all the action as Wood lost the WBA featherweight title to Lara in controversial fashion
Leigh Wood suffered a controversial TKO loss in his hometown clash with Mauricio Lara on Saturday, as the towel came in after a knockdown in the seventh round.
Wood appeared to be leading five rounds to one as the main event crossed its midway point in Nottingham, but Lara produced a brutal left hook almost out of nowhere to floor the WBA featherweight champion late in Round 7. Wood beat the referee’s count, but the 34-year-old’s coach Ben Davison threw in the towel with approximately 10 seconds left in the frame.
Wood was quick to protest his trainer’s decision, while Mexican Lara celebrated his title win across the ring. When asked by DAZN whether he was okay to continue, Wood said: “Yeah, I’m a fighter, you know? I want to go until I can’t see anything anymore. [But with the knockdown], I made a mistake and I paid for it.”
The main event marked Wood’s first bout since his fight-of-the-year contender with Michael Conlan at the same arena in March 2022. That night, Wood recovered from a heavy knockdown at the bell in the first round, going on to knock out Conlan in the final frame.
Re-live updates from Wood vs Lara and the entire undercard in Nottingham.
Wood vs Lara LIVE
Next up, Jamaican-born Briton Cheavon Clarke takes on Israel Duffus at cruiserweight.
Panama’s Duffus is stepping in for Dec Spelman here.
Wood vs Lara LIVE
Diego Alberto Ruiz def. Gamal Yafai via unanimous decision (98-89, 97-90, 97-91).
No surprises there.
Ruiz gets his first win in the UK on his fifth attempt!
Wood vs Lara LIVE
Yafai vs Ruiz – Round 10
Final round! Realistically, Yafai is fighting for pride or a shock finish here.
The Briton’s head movement is better, but he still eats a brutal left hook, then another that puts him down!
Yafai is okay to continue, but that’s the third time he’s been knocked down tonight.
Ruiz continues to punish Yafai, and the latter’s coach is on the ring apron, considering throwing in the towel...
Yafai just about makes it to the final bell!
Wood vs Lara LIVE
Yafai vs Ruiz – Round 9
Yafai’s coach warns him that the towel will come in if Yafai does not start moving his head to avoid more shots.
Yafai whips hooks to the midriff of Ruiz, who is then backed up against the ropes.
The Briton is following him around the ring and trying to wear him down now. Ruiz catches him with an uppercut as Yafai dips his head to throw more hooks.
Wood vs Lara LIVE
Yafai vs Ruiz – Round 8
Three rounds to go. Yafai manages another hard left hook, but Ruiz is still in control and outgunning his opponent.
Yafai pushes forward, puts his head down and unloads punches. It’s a messy affair right now, but both fighters are showing plenty of heart.
A jab snaps back the head of Yafai, who then eats a huge right hand!
Wood vs Lara LIVE
Yafai vs Ruiz – Round 7
A clean left hook lands for Yafai, but Ruiz barely reacts.
Yafai is stringing together shots now, though. Another left hook lands flush on the chin of Ruiz.
Ruiz gets back on the front foot to end the round, however, and he walks Yafai onto a combination on the bell!
Wood vs Lara LIVE
Yafai vs Ruiz – Round 6
Yafai is still producing a good level of output, but his Argentine opponent is getting more creative – mixing up his entries, angles and stances.
Wood vs Lara LIVE
“You’re four rounds down, out of five,” Yafai’s coach tells him.
“Really?”
“Yeah, you won Round 1,” is the reply.
Indy Sport is inclined to agree.
Wood vs Lara LIVE
Yafai vs Ruiz – Round 5
This is a brave display from Yafai, but he’s taking a lot of damage.
He unfurls a left hook into the ribs of Ruiz, who is quick to reply before circling to his left and flicking out jabs.
Ruiz wings an overhand right but misses, as Yafai tries to back him into the corner.
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