Mauricio Lara ruined Leigh Wood’s party in Nottingham with a stunning left hook in the seventh round after trailing on the scorecards.
The result gives the Mexican the WBA featherweight title but for long portions of the fight, it appeared that Wood was set to make a routine defence of his belt after enjoying a solid start to the fight.
Despite both men promising to go all out, the fight began quietly with both men deciding to take a look at each other.
Although Lara managed to shake Wood in the early stages, the Nottingham man recovered well and began to build a healthy lead with the ringside judges.
As the fight’s second half began, Wood was in complete control, and he was fighting his fight as he slowed down the relentless Mexican.
With the bout seemingly in his favour, a left hook from Lara changed everything.
With seconds remaining in the seventh stanza, Wood was floored, and although he beat the count, Ben Davison, his trainer, sensibly threw the towel into the ring to stop the contest.
For Lara, there’s multiple opportunities in the featherweight division when he decides to make his first defence.
Josh Warrington is one possibility and trilogy meeting between the pair would make sense for both men.
For Wood, a break from the sport is probably wise following consecutive hard fights that will no doubt have had a significant impact on his body.
It's all over. Wood was cruising and then he's hit by a left hook. Wood goes down and ben Davison throws the towel in. Mauricio Lara is the new WBA featherweight champion
Wood is control for bulk of the round but Lara does have a go at the end. This is becoming easy for Wood but he has to stay alert as Lara can change this fight with one shot. 10-9 Wood
Another Wood round. Lara is losing these rounds and he's going to have to take a chance soon. There's damage to the face of Wood and that could be costly later on but he'll be happy with how things have gone so far. 10-9 Wood
Lara starts well and shakes Wood but the champion responds well. Wood slows the pace and that suits him as he's able to pick his shots better. 10-9 Wood
A cut to Wood suffered in the first round has made him force the fight. It's a big mistake though as Lara has matched him and finished the round stronger. Wood is hurt but he makes it to the final bell. 10-9 Lara
A more quiet start than expected. Lara is trying to get close but Wood has landed a couple of good shots. Not much in the opening session but Wood's cleaner work shades it for him. 10-9 Wood
Dalton Smith started a huge favourite against Billy Allington but he had to go the full distance with the brave Londoner standing firm. Smith had his opponent hurt several times but Allington survived well and deserved to hear the final bell. Smith was a big winner on the scorecards.
Gary Cully had another quick night as he stopped Wilfredo Flores in two rounds. The Irish puncher is fast becoming a star and he impressed here with another destructive win.
Cheavon Clarke went past four rounds for the first time as a pro but he was still far too good for Israel Duffus. The 2020 Olympian went the ten round distance against the experienced Panama man but he was able to drop him on mutliple ocassions before sttling for a wide points verdict.
Diego Ruiz arrived in Nottingham with a decent reputation, but he leaves with that enhanced following a brilliant win over Gamal Yafai. The Argentinian dropped Yafai twiceand was in control for large portions. The final scorecards all favoured Ruiz heavily and it leaves a series of questions regarding what Yafai does next. Have we seen the last of the Birmingham man?
Gamal Yafai is looking to rebuild his career but he's facing a crisis here. He's been down in round two against Diego Ruiz and he badly needs to improve.
The action in Nottingham is close to getting underway
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