{"id":5963,"date":"2023-02-16T18:21:47","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T18:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/leigh-wood-v-mauricio-lara-wba-featherweight-champion-relishing-underdog-status\/"},"modified":"2023-02-16T18:21:49","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T18:21:49","slug":"leigh-wood-v-mauricio-lara-wba-featherweight-champion-relishing-underdog-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/leigh-wood-v-mauricio-lara-wba-featherweight-champion-relishing-underdog-status\/","title":{"rendered":"Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara: WBA featherweight champion relishing underdog status"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1\">\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media story-body__media--lead\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$video-1\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0.0\"><noscript data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0.0.1\"\/><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--video\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$video-1.1\">&#8216;I want to show the world how good I am&#8217; &#8211; Wood<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<table class=\"gs-o-table story-body__table\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2\">\n<thead class=\"gs-o-table__head gel-brevier \" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.0\">\n<tr class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.0.$row-0\"\/><\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"gel-long-primer \" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1\">\n<tr class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0\">\n<td class=\"gs-o-table__cell\" colspan=\"1\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0\"><strong data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:0\">Venue: <\/strong><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-0.$td-0.0:1\">Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham Date: Saturday, 18 February<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-1\">\n<td class=\"gs-o-table__cell\" colspan=\"1\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-1.$td-0\"><strong data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-1.$td-0.0:0\">Coverage: <\/strong><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$table-2.1.$row-1.$td-0.0:1\">Radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live from 22:00 GMT; live text coverage and reaction on BBC Sport website &amp; app from 21:00 GMT.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p role=\"introduction\" class=\"qa-introduction gel-pica-bold\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3.0\">WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood says he is relishing being the underdog for his fight with Mexico&#8217;s Mauricio Lara.  <\/span><\/p>\n<div data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4\">\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4.0\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4.0.0\">Wood, 34, will defend his title in front of a home crowd at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on Saturday.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5.0\">&#8220;That underdog mentality, not only do I thrive on it, I kind of need it,&#8221; Wood said at Thursday&#8217;s news conference. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6.0\">&#8220;There&#8217;s nothing he can bring that I&#8217;m not prepared for. I&#8217;m ready for a smart, technical knockout.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7.0\">Wood has won 26 bouts, with two losses, since making his debut in 2011. Lara, 24, boasts a record of 25 wins, with two losses and one draw. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"story-body__crosshead\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$crosshead-8\">&#8216;Nottingham is going to be hostile&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-9\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-9.0\">Wood&#8217;s inspiring journey to boxing stardom has been nothing short of spectacular.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10.0\">He has gone from fighting in leisure centres to headlining arena bouts in his home city, and believes home advantage will prove the difference this weekend. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-11\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-11.0\">&#8220;It&#8217;s going to be special,&#8221; he said. &#8220;It&#8217;s going to be a wolf pit. A cauldron. Hostile.&#8221; <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-13\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-13.0\">Wood&#8217;s never-give-up attitude has endeared him to fight fans. After losses to fellow Britons James &#8216;Jazza&#8217; Dickens and Gavin McDonnell, Wood&#8217;s world title aspirations had been written off by many, but his own self-belief never dwindled. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-14\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-14.0\">&#8220;It&#8217;s been a long journey to get here,&#8221; a relaxed-looking Wood said. &#8220;I&#8217;ve come a long way.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-15\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-15.0\">A link-up with trainer Ben Davison reignited his career and paid dividends when Wood won the WBA &#8216;Regular&#8217; title against <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/boxing\/58043778\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-15.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-15.$link-2.0\">China&#8217;s Xu Can<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-15.3\"> in 2021. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-16\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-16.0\">He then defended his title in a modern-day classic last March when &#8211; once again deemed an underdog by the bookmakers &#8211; he beat Irishman Michael Conlan in a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/boxing\/60724637\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-16.$link-2\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-16.$link-2.0\">dramatic 12th-round knockout<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-16.3\">, having been behind on all three judges&#8217; scorecards. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-17\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-17.0\">Trainer Davison echoed his fighter&#8217;s comments that he performs better when there is less expectation. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18.0\">&#8220;He has been written off numerous times in the year. Every time he has come back better and stronger and [risen] to the challenge,&#8221; Davison said. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-19\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-19.0\">&#8220;That&#8217;s when you see the best of Leigh Wood. A fight when Leigh Wood is heavy favourite, you won&#8217;t see the best of Leigh Wood.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"story-body__crosshead\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$crosshead-20\">Lara vows to KO champion<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-21\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-21.0\">Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn applauded Wood and Davison for personally requesting Lara &#8211; considered one of the most dangerous punchers of the division &#8211; as a voluntary defence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-22\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-22.0\">Wood was upgraded to full WBA champion in December after Leo Santa Cruz vacated the title.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23.0\">There were other &#8211; potentially easier &#8211; opponents, with Hearn saying he suggested former world champion Kiko Martinez. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24.0\">&#8220;I said &#8216;let&#8217;s have an easy one. You just had fight of the year, you&#8217;ve got the whole city behind you&#8217;,&#8221; Hearn added.<\/span><strong data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24.$bold-1\"\/><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24.2\">&#8220;Leigh Wood said &#8216;I don&#8217;t want an easy one. I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ll box well&#8217;.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25.0\">While he can look menacing in the ring, Lara also cut a relaxed figure before his first world-title challenge. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-26\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-26.0\">In February last year the then-unknown featherweight inflicted a first career defeat for former world champion Josh Warrington with a ninth-round stoppage, catapulting his name into world-level boxing.  <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-27\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-27.0\">Lara has also vowed to win by stoppage this weekend, saying: &#8220;When opportunities come round I take them with both hands. I feel convinced I will win. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-28\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-28.0\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve prepared as well as I possibly could. I feel like this is almost my second home. This will not go the 12 rounds.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-29\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-29.0\">Both Wood and Lara possess knockout power, but they also have vulnerabilities. Wood was knocked down by Conlan &#8211; not considered a heavy hitter &#8211; in the first round of their bout, while Lara&#8217;s eagerness to attack often leaves him open to a counter. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-30\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-30.0\">Saturday&#8217;s card is Matchroom Boxing&#8217;s first in the United Kingdom this year, and the main event is full of intrigue. Both men are confident and both will come to fight. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-31\"><span data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-31.0\">On paper, it has all the ingredients to be a memorable world-title showdown.  <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media gs-u-mb-alt+ qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$image-32\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:11.875%;\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$image-32.0\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media gs-u-mb-alt+ qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$image-34\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:1.9791666666666665%;\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$image-34.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/BBBD\/production\/_127816084_bbc_footer-1920x38-1x-1.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/BBBD\/production\/_127816084_bbc_footer-1920x38-1x-1.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/BBBD\/production\/_127816084_bbc_footer-1920x38-1x-1.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/BBBD\/production\/_127816084_bbc_footer-1920x38-1x-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/BBBD\/production\/_127816084_bbc_footer-1920x38-1x-1.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Across the BBC footer\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".fhz96foxd8.0.0.0.1.$image-34.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/boxing\/64664902?at_medium=RSS&#038;at_campaign=KARANGA\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8216;I want to show the world how good I am&#8217; &#8211; Wood Venue: Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham Date: Saturday, 18 February Coverage: Radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live from 22:00 GMT; live text coverage and reaction on BBC Sport website &amp; app from 21:00 GMT. WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood says he is relishing being [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5964,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5963"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5963"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5965,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5963\/revisions\/5965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}