Leigh Wood defends his WBA world featherweight title on Saturday night against the dangerous Mauricio Lara in what has the potential to be a thrilling matchup live on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand).
A win for Wood could be the start of a huge 2023 for the Nottingham fighter who has his sights set on a huge Summer date at the City Ground against domestic rival Josh Warrington.
However, he cannot afford to make the same mistake as 'The Leeds Warrior' and already be looking past Lara. The Mexican has proven he is a serious contender in the featherweight division and will be on the hunt for his first world title in Nottingham.
As always with big fights such as Wood vs. Lara, there are plenty of bets to be made so let's take a look at some of them below.
Wood vs. Lara odds
- Leigh Wood: 2/1
- Mauricio Lara: 4/11
(All odds via Bet365)
Surprisingly, Mauricio Lara is the favourite to win the fight at 4/11, meaning you would have to bet £110 to win £40 and your stake. Leigh Wood meanwhile is priced at 2/1 which means a £10 bet can bring in £20 if the 34-year-old is victorious.
Wood vs. Lara prediction
In the build-up to Saturday night, both Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara have been adamant that the fight will not go the full distance.
This is something which I agree with, as both men are not afraid to meet in the centre of the ring and unload, but it will be case of who can outlast the hard-hitting punishment they will endure.
Wood already knows what it feels like to come off the canvas and win a fight, a prime example being his dramatic knockout win against Michael Conlan last year, but Lara is someone who has been proven to posses immense power, shown by his breakout performance against Josh Warrington in February 2021.
Wood will need to be smart when it comes to choosing the window to throw his power shots, any lapse in concentration and Lara will pounce, but the WBA world featherweight champion has the technical ability to frustrate his Mexican opponent.
If Wood can avoid the majority of dangerous shots from Lara in the first half of the fight, he will be in a good position to capitalise on Lara's mistakes as it's likely that the Mexican will go for broke in the hope of making another statement on British shores.
- Astbury's pick: Leigh Wood to win in round 10
- Odds: 40/1
(All odds via Bet365)
More Wood vs. Lara odds
Method of victory
- Leigh Wood by KO/TKO/Disqualification: 7/2
- Leigh Wood by Decision or Technical Decision: 15/2
- Mauricio Lara by KO/TKO/Disqualification: 8/15
- Mauricio Lara by Decision or Technical Decision: 10/1
- Draw or Technical Draw: 14/1
(All odds via Bet365)