Leigh Wood meets Mauricio Lara in a huge title fight as the Englishman puts his WBA featherweight world championship on the line in Nottingham.
The fight, shown live on DAZN, sees Wood risking not just his title in a voluntary defence, but potentially the chance of a huge City Ground fight this summer if he is successful.
Wood made his name back in 2021 when some considered his victory over 'regular' champion Can Xu to be an upset win, but he further burnished his credentials when he defeated challenger Michael Conlan with a violent denouement in March last year.
Wood has tasted victory 26 times over a 28-fight career, and Lara will give it his all, just as he did when he beat Josh Warrington in early 2021 before holding his own in a rematch that was called off as a draw.
DAZN takes a look at Wood's career ahead of what may be his biggest night inside the squared circle.
What is Leigh Wood's professional record?
Leigh Wood boasts a 26-2 record in the professional boxing ranks, with 16 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
Championships
Leigh Wood is currently the WBA world featherweight champion after beating Xu Can in July 2021 for the regular belt, and was upgraded to full champion when Leo Santa Cruz vacated in December last year.
Before then, all at featherweight, he won British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) Midlands Area title in 2016, the Commonwealth title in 2019, the WBO European title in 2019, and the BBBofC title in 2021.
Biggest wins
There is no doubt that Leigh Wood's biggest win came last year in March against Michael Conlan.
For much of the fight in Nottingham, it seemed that Conlan was on course to win the fight, and he led on points going into the final round.
Wood had one option if he wanted to retain his belt - win by stoppage. And the manner of the knockout made headlines.
Wood delivered a late flurry of blows that was not only enough to knock his opponent out, but he did so with such force that Conlan was knocked all the way out of the ring, caught by his watching family.
Wood vs. Lara fight date, start time tonight
- Date : Saturday, February 18
- Time : 7 p.m. GMT / 2 p.m. ET
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 10:49 p.m. GMT / 5:49 p.m. ET
The event is set to get underway at 7 p.m. GMT / 2 p.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 10:49 p.m. GMT / 5:49 p.m. ET. These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
Can I watch Wood vs. Lara on DAZN tonight?
The card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe (except Australia and New Zealand). You can sign up for a subscription here .
However if you are in Argentina, Chile and Colombia you must download the DAZN app from the Apple App Store or Android Google Play store and then sign up from there, rather than via web browser.
What devices are supported on DAZN?
DAZN is available on web browsers at DAZN.com (except Argentina, Chile and Colombia) and also has apps available for all of the following TV and streaming devices:
| Mobile Devices | TV & Streaming Devices | Game Consoles |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone, iPad | Amazon Fire TV | Playstation 4 |
| Android phones, tablets | Amazon Fire TV Stick | Playstation 5 |
| Amazon Fire tablet | Android TV | XBox One |
| Apple TV | XBox Series X | S | |
| Google Chromecast | ||
| LG Smart TV, Smartcast | ||
| Panasonic Smart TV | ||
| Samsung Smart TV | ||
| Sony Smart TV |
Where is the Wood vs. Lara fight tonight?
The fight will take place at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England.
Leigh Wood record and bio
- Nationality: British
- Date of birth: August 1, 1988
- Height: 5' 7"
- Reach: 67"
- Total fights: 28
- Record: 26-2 (16 KOs)
Mauricio Lara record and bio
- Nationality: Mexican
- Date of birth: February 23, 1998
- Height: 5' 7"
- Reach: N/A
- Total fights: 28
- Record: 25-2-1 (18 KOs)
Wood vs. Lara fight card
- Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara; For Wood's WBA world featherweight title
- Dalton Smith vs. Billy Allington; For Smith's British super lightweight title
- Gary Cully vs. Wilfredo Flores; Lightweight
- Cheavon Clarke vs. Israel Duffus; Cruiserweight
- Gamal Yafai vs. Diego Alberto Ruiz; Super bantamweight
- Aaron Bowen vs. Mathieu Gomes; Middleweight
- Junaid Boston vs. Peter Kramer; Light middleweight
- Kieron Conway vs. Jorge Silva; Super middleweight
- Nico Leivars vs. Alberto Motos; Super bantamweight
- Sam Maxwell vs. Shaun Cooper; Super lightweight