Leigh Wood was in command for the rematch with Mauricio Lara. Photo / @DAZNBoxing
Leigh Wood regained the WBA Featherweight title after a 12-round unanimous decision with Mauricio Lara on Saturday at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. The rematch was broadcast live on DAZN.
Wood, Ring No. 7 Featherweight Ranking, was stopped in seven rounds by Lara three months ago. He chose to exercise his rematch clause, which some people wondered if it was too soon.
At the weigh-ins, Lara, who entered the competition as the number one featherweight in The Ring, overshot the featherweight limit by 3¾ pounds and was stripped of her WBA title.
▶️ @itsleighwood vs. @bronco_lara overview of the most important events.@autozone | #LaraWood2 pic.twitter.com/qCIxteBved
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 27, 2023
Lara looked lethargic and lethargic and paid an early price when he was knocked out in round 2. The two collided heads in round three, resulting in a slash for Wood.
The Mexican was constantly beaten to the punch and lacked his usual aggressive action-throwing style.
Wood easily beat him with a jab. The Brit didn’t have to do anything else and kept his discipline at all times.
In conclusion, Wood was rightly given a wide decision on the scorecards 118-109 (twice) and 116-111.
2X WORLD CHAMPION!@itsleighwood wins the rematch. 🏆#LaraWood2 pic.twitter.com/1aZeDEBgrw
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 27, 2023
The 34-year-old raises his record to 27-3 (16 KOs), while Lara drops to 26-3-1 (19 KOs).
On the bottom card, Jack Catterall broke a 15-month break with a dominant 10-round unanimous decision over Darragh Foley.
The last time we saw Catterall, he controversially lost in February to then-undisputed junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor.
Catterall, The Ring No. 4 in junior welterweight, dropped ring rust to dominate rough Foley and earn a 10-round unanimous decision. Catterall was awarded a 99-88, 98-89, 97-90 decision.
The 29-year-old fighter from Chorley used his classic southern paw skills to get into the early rounds. Foley went on and showed resilience, but was never able to bother Catterall.
Catterall went through the levels and went from a body punch combination on top and uncorked a great left cross early in round 9 to drop Australia’s Foley. Catterall looked like the first man to stop Foley, but he was unable to stop him.
The Briton looked impressive and can now concentrate on a much deserved chance at a second world title. Catterall went 27-1 (13 KOs) and Foley fell to 22-5-1 (10 KOs).
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