Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara

Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara (billed as “Dance with the Devil”) was a featherweight professional boxing match contested between WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara. The bout took place on 18 February 2023 at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England. Lara defeated Wood via technical knockout in the 7th round.

Background
On 24 August 2022 was announced that Leigh Wood would make his second WBA title defence against Mexican professional boxer Mauricio Lara at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England on 24 September 2022. However Wood withdrew from the fight ten days before it was supposed to take place, due to a torn biceps suffered in sparring.

The bout was rescheduled for 18 February 2023 at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England.

Rematch
During the Anthony Joshua vs Jermaine Franklin broadcast, Eddie Hearn, Mauricio Lara and Leigh Wood appeared in the ring to announce the rematch which took place on 27 May at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.