Eddie Hearn believes that Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara could be the fight of the year.
Wood defends his WBA featherweight title against his Mexican opponent on February 18 live on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand) in what could prove to be a tricky fight, with Lara the favourite in Nottingham.
Wood delivered a huge knockout blow last year to defeat Michael Conlan, sending him out of the ring in the last round to hold onto his strap, and many believe it to be one of the highlights of the year.
Matchroom promoter Hearn believes it could be another classic.He told DAZN: “I think Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara has all the ingredients to be fight of the year. We saw the event, knockout of the year in Leigh Wood against Michael Conlan in the same arena. The arena is going to be jam-packed.
“It’s so unusual to see a world champion in his hometown, being nearly a 3/1 outsider in a voluntary defence.
“Leigh Wood picked Mauricio Lara. He picked him in the first place... and now he’s picked him again. Leigh Wood and Ben Davison believe that they can do a job on Mauricio Lara.
“Mauricio Lara is so convinced he walks through Leigh Wood in Nottingham. It’s going to be an absolute thriller.”