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Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara LIVE: Result as Briton regains title with points win

Re-live updates as Wood fought to regain the WBA featherweight title, which Lara won from him in February but lost on Friday after missing weight

Alex Pattle
Combat Sports Correspondent
Saturday 27 May 2023 19:40 EDT
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Tyson Fury seen consoling boxer after first pro loss

Leigh Wood regained the WBA featherweight title with a decision win over Mauricio Lara on Saturday, avenging a knockout loss to the Mexican in the process.

Wood was fighting in his hometown of Nottingham in February when he suffered a controversial TKO defeat by Lara, who took the WBA belt from the 34-year-old in Round 7.

However, Lara, 25, was stripped of the title on Friday (26 May), after failing to make weight for his Manchester rematch with Wood. Furthermore, only Wood was eligible to win the vacant title in the main-event bout.

And Wood did just that, knocking down Lara in Round 2 and going on to beat the Mexican via unanimous decision. Elsewhere, Chris Billam-Smith won his first world title, and Michael Conlan suffered a brutal KO loss – more on those results below.

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Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Aqib Fiaz vs Costin Ion

Up next is a super-featherweight bout between Aqib Fiaz and Costin Ion!

Alex Pattle27 May 2023 19:59

Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson

Alex Pattle27 May 2023 19:54

Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson

Danny Ball def. Jamie Robinson via eighth-round TKO (3:00).

Ball claims the vacant English welterweight title!

Alex Pattle27 May 2023 19:50

Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson

It’s all over! Robinson’s corner pull him from the fight between rounds!

I’m not sure if he’s injured, but he was way behind on the cards and wasn’t troubling Ball with his offence.

A sound call.

Alex Pattle27 May 2023 19:49

Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson

Round 8

Into the final three rounds. Ball presses forward and unloads a right hook, then an uppercut.

Robinson unfurls hooks to the body of his taller opponent. Ball connects with a left hook upstairs.

A hard left hook again by Ball! Every time Robinson finds a bit of success, Ball fires back with more power and volume.

Alex Pattle27 May 2023 19:47

Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson

Round 7

A lancing jab snaps back the head of Robinson, then another.

Ball’s shoelace comes undone, and he visits his corner to have it tied.

Back under way. Ball catches Robinson on the end of a right cross to the body then avoids a one-two up top.

Robinson with a clean jab now. Ball responds well and taunts his opponent.

Alex Pattle27 May 2023 19:43

Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson

Round 6

Robinson gets out on the front foot, but Ball’s variety of offence with his left hand is troubling his opponent.

Robinson strings together a decent combination, but he’s tagged with a mean left hook to the head.

Good head movement from Ball now to evade Robinson’s shots. Ball with a clean right hook to the ribs of Robinson, who keeps marching forward.

Alex Pattle27 May 2023 19:39

Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson

Round 5

Ball just about lands a right hook but misses with an uppercut.

Now forward comes Robinson. He’s shown plenty of courage and determination, but he’s being outlanded.

A left hook lands for Ball, who then complains that Robinson’s reply was below the belt line.

Once more Robinson’s mouthguard comes out, and again it’s put back in. The referee warns him that a point will be deducted if it happens again.

Hard left hook to the body from Ball; Robinson responds in kind, but only after eating a head shot.

Alex Pattle27 May 2023 19:35

Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson

Round 4

Ball misses with a couple of slip, lead uppercuts. He sees one blocked, but Robinson will have felt that anyway.

Robinson slings a hook into the midriff of Ball, who replies with a solid combination, attacking the body and head.

Robinson’s mouthguard comes out, and the referee pauses the action to pick it up, clean it and get it back in.

The round resumes with the fighters trading jabs.

Alex Pattle27 May 2023 19:31

Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Danny Ball vs Jamie Robinson

Round 3

It’s no surprise that Robinson has been able to show heart here. The Briton is a survivor of testicular cancer, a real inspiration.

The slower pace from the end of Round 2 persists, with both boxers seemingly a little tired after a frantic spell following the knockdown of Robinson.

Good body shots from both welterweights now.

Alex Pattle27 May 2023 19:26

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