Leigh Wood deserves a rematch with Mauricio Lara, believes Tony Bellew.
Wood attempted to defend his WBA featherweight belt against the Mexican in Nottingham two weekends ago, but Lara forced a stoppage as Wood’s team threw in the towel.
As it was a voluntary defence, Wood was able to negotiate a rematch clause ahead of the fight, and now there could be a second fight on the cards.
Speaking to the DAZN Boxing Show, former cruiserweight champion Bellew explained why he believed Wood was worthy of a rematch.
“The Leigh Wood one is needed, 100%, because Leigh Wood gifted Maruricio Lara a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Maurico Lara has taken it with both hands,” he began. “And Leigh Wood deserves the chance to win his title back, because he didn’t have to fight Mauricio Lara.”
Discussing the manner of the stoppage, Bellew accepted that a premature end is better than one that comes too late for a fighter, but he suggested Wood himself would have preferred to have the chance to continue until the referee decided it was too much punishment.
He added: “You know your guy’s going to get hit. To be honest, I 100% agree with that and I guarantee so does Leigh Wood, but this is boxing and what keeps us gripped and keeps us coming back.”