Manchester, UK – May 26: Mauricio Lara and Leigh Wood weigh in ahead of their WBA world featherweight title fight tomorrow night in Manchester. May 26, 2023 Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The WBA featherweight title will only be on the line for Leigh Wood after Mauricio Lara fell short of the 126-pound weight limit on Friday ahead of their rematch at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.
Lara was banned by the British Boxing Board of Control after exceeding the weight control board’s maximum limit on Wednesday and not allowed to go below 128.5 pounds.
Lara (26-2-1, 19 knockouts), who is likely to be stripped of the WBA featherweight title, is stripped naked and weighs 129.8 pounds, while Wood (26-3, 16 KOs) weighs in at 125.9 pounds.
⚖️ @bronco_lara AND @itsLeighWood hit the scales in Manchester#LaraWood2 pic.twitter.com/0iOmRumY0Y
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) May 26, 2023
The fight is a rematch of their fight from February last year, when Lara defeated Wood in seven rounds to lift the title in Nottingham, England. The fight will be Lara, 25, from Mexico City, Mexico, fourth to fight in the UK. Wood, 34, from Gedling, Nottinghamshire, England fought all his professional fights in the UK.
Wood’s trainer, Ben Davison, told DAZN commentators Darren Barker and Chris Lloyd that he knows many will question why Wood would be fighting for the heavyweight title against a fighter who hasn’t cut weight, but he says all would have been for nothing if he hadn’t won the championship.
“Realistically, this shouldn’t be happening, right? Honestly, it’s a disgrace,” Davison said.
“I have nothing against Mauricio Lara and their whole team, they show respect at all times. But it’s a total mess.”
Davison says he is considering imposing a rehydration clause.
“We’re still discussing various options, but at the moment I can’t completely rule anything out. I have to think about Leigh’s health, Leigh has goals and aspirations,” Davison said.
