At the Manchester Arena in Manchester, Lancashire, UK, this Saturday, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn put on a dazzling Main Event via DAZN. It was a rematch where former WBA World Featherweight champion Leigh Wood dominated over Mauricio Lara, who had previously lost his title at the weigh-in and in the ring, across 12 one-sided rounds.
The Main Event saw the former WBA Featherweight champion Leigh Wood, with a score of 27-3 (16), #126, from Gedling, Nottinghamshire, UK, overpower WBA World Feather champ Mauricio “Bronco” Lara, with a score of 26-3-1 (19), #129 ¾, from Mexico City, MEX, in a 12-round showdown.
The thrilling match saw Wood land a powerful left hook on Lara’s chin during the final twenty seconds of the second round, causing Lara to take an 8-count from Referee Steve Gray. Lara rebounded well and launched an aggressive attack on Wood till the round’s end. The third round saw Lara recover impressively and even manage to win the round despite a cut on his left eyebrow due to a head collision.
The fourth and fifth rounds saw Lara continue to outshine himself, despite appearing sluggish due to not making the required weight.
Wood maintained his aggressive pressure with a firm jab during the seventh round while Lara had his moments. In the eighth and ninth rounds, Wood’s dominance remained unchallenged. In the final minute of the tenth round, Wood made Lara lose his balance and tumble to the canvas with a strong left. Referee Gray then warned both boxers about the potential dangers of head clashes.
In the eleventh round, Wood’s jab was still causing trouble for Lara. Lara did manage to land a punch to Wood’s chin in the final minute of the round, momentarily distracting him.
As Lara fell significantly behind, he desperately pursued Wood in the closing moments of the bout. In the final round, Wood, a round away from securing the title, had the spectators on their feet in anticipation. Wood managed to shake Lara with a right hook to the chin in the last minute.
The final scores were 116-111 and 118-109 in favor of Wood.
