Yahoo News Wood vs Lara LIVE! Boxing result, fight stream, TV channel, latest updates and reaction
Wood vs Lara LIVE!
British boxing star Leigh Wood was tonight stopped in the seventh as Mauricio Lara claimed the WBA featherweight world title in Nottingham. The home favourite came into the fight not as the favourite but looked to be defying then odds with a heavy-hitting opening six rounds.
But one left hook saw Lara prove why he was so fancied, having last year beaten Josh Warrington and now has a first title to his name.
There was plenty of eye-catching action on the undercard as Dalton Smith defended his British super-lightweight belt against Billy Allington after Gary Cully beat Wilfredo Flores to win the WBA intercontinental lightweight title. Olympian Cheavon Clarke made it five wins from five as a professional with an impressive points win over stand-in Israel Duffus. Gamal Yafai suffered another defeat, while Kieron Conway made amends for his last loss by beating Jorge Silva. The undercard started at 7pm. Follow Wood vs Lara live below!
Wood vs Lara latest news
Clarke defeats Duffus via unanimous decision
...AND NEW! Cully beats Flores by TKO
Smith defeats Allington via unanimous decision
AND NEW! Lara beats Wood by seventh-round KO
Wood to DAZN
23:53 , Alex Young
Yeah, I’m a fighter, you know? I want to go until I can’t see anything anymore. [But with the knockdown], I made a mistake and I paid for it.
23:49 , Alex Young
Let’s watch that finale again.
In comes the towel after a big knockdown at the end of the seventh...
Mauricio Lara is the new WBA World Featherweight Champion #WoodLara | @DAZNBoxing pic.twitter.com/wmDYjntXBt— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 18, 2023
23:45 , Alex Young
Mauricio Lara beat hometown favourite Leigh Wood in Nottingham to win the WBA world featherweight title with a stunning stoppage.
Wood came into the fight not as the favourite but looked to be defying then odds with a heavy-hitting opening six rounds.
But one left hook saw Lara prove why he was so fancied, having last year beaten Josh Warrington and now has a first title to his name.
23:39 , Alex Young
Boos ring round the Arena as the result is confirmed. Lara is in tears of joy, Wood looks devastated.
23:36 , Alex Young
What a remarkable finish! It was the right decision from his corner to call it, Wood didn’t know where he was.
Wood vs Lara - round 7
23:33 , Alex Young
Lara tries to get his support amped up as the seventh begins. He knows Wood is winning on points as the second half of the fight begins.
A pop shot knocks back Wood, and he needs to keep forcing this with jabs... and WOOD IS DONE!
A huge left-hand and Wood is on his back and his eyes are in the back of his head! He gets to his feet but the towel is thrown in!
It’s over!
Wood vs Lara - round 6
23:29 , Alex Young
A jab into Lara’s body and then a hook to the head to kick off the sixth from Wood.
Lara is forced onto the ropes and now gasping for air as the crowd get to their feet. Will Wood finish him off? No, he holds back, waiting, sending Lara back into the ring with a left.
Lara can’t connect at the moment, and that’s bad news for the challenger.
We will have a seventh round.
23:26 , Alex Young
Both Wood and Lara said this fight wouldn't go longer than halfway.
The sixth round is about to begin.
Wood vs Lara - round 5
23:25 , Alex Young
Wood is perhaps a little more cautious in this fifth round, at least initially, until he hits a strong body shot which rocks the Mexican. Lara showing fine resilience while Wood’s cut above his left eye still more pours.
Wood time and again connect with the brick of a right and again Lara stands tall.
Wood vs Lara - round 4
23:21 , Alex Young
Wood’s corner tells him to wait for Lara to be reckless, as the Mexican rarely takes fights this far as we start the fourth.
Almost immediately, Lara connects with a flush fist to the face which Wood shakes off. The pace of this round is slower, though, with both men hurt, as Wood waits for an opportunity and gets it! Once, twice and three times he connects with a right.
This is a fine fight, two men who want this over as soon as possible and believe they can do it.
Wood vs Lara - round 3
23:17 , Alex Young
Wood’s eye is pouring but Lara is happy to wait for the champ to come at him, which he does with a strong right. Lara for now is able to shake them off, but the home crowd are encouraged.
Lara isn’t committing here as he stalks Wood. This is impressive from the champion.
Wood vs Lara - round 2
23:13 , Alex Young
A clash of heads in the first round, say both corners, which has caused a cut to Wood’s left eye.
It’s not affecting him, though, as he forces Lara into the corner and hits him with a flurry to body and cheek. Lara has slowed down in this round and is again hit with a brutal left hook which gets many to their feet.
Lara is leave his chin open when he dives in but connects with a thumb to the belly and then a stunning left and right to the face of Wood - who is practically saved by the bell.
Wood vs Lara - round 1
23:09 , Alex Young
The crowd is pumped and few are expecting this to go the distance.
Two big hitters and a little on show in the opening exchanges, starting with a probing spring from Lara. Wood responds with a smart hook to the head and Lara hits back with a jab to the left cheek.
Wood is trying to find his range for that right uppercut he likes, while trying to contain a lively Lara.
23:05 , Alex Young
Right then, here we go! We’ve touched gloves.
23:04 , Alex Young
Lara is introduced to large boos once again.
22:59 , Alex Young
A clip of Brian Clough to get the home crowd even more amped on Wood’s VT.
22:57 , Alex Young
...and here comes ‘Lethal’ Leigh Wood in his hometown!
22:52 , Alex Young
Here comes Lara, preparing for his ring walk, as the crowd sings Sweet Caroline.
Prediction
22:49 , Alex Young
A reminder that we are predicted Lara to be victorious tonight.
Wood deserves huge credit for choosing Lara as a voluntary defence, a bout most in his position would have certainly avoided.
The Nottingham fight is no stranger to being the underdog or having to come through incredibly tough tests in a fight, as Michael Conlan found out 11 months ago.
Whether he can afford to be in that much trouble against Lara is another matter, with the Mexican possessing the concussive power to stop any opponent.
This is not likely to be a fight won through a defensive masterclass or through boxing at distance, with both having no issue with standing in the centre of the ring and trading.
Wood will keep coming and coming, with the fact his last two wins have come by stoppage in the 12th round proving he has the heart and the engine to go the distance.
His bravery will get him through some tough moments, but there may prove to be too many against a fighter as good as Lara.
Lara to win by stoppage, round seven.
Next up?
22:41 , Alex Young
It’s the main event coming up.
Smith vs Allington result
22:36 , Alex Young
As expected, Dalton Smith retains his British super-lightweight title via unanimous decision.
Smith vs Allington
22:33 , Alex Young
Smith had this won an age ago, of course, but Allington begins the 12th looking for a morale victory which the bell would bring.
Smith is frustrated, that much is clear, as he steps forward and rains down on his opponent but it is all a bit predictable and Allington can continue to do enough to stand firm and defend. Smith “needs to chuck in a feint or two” says Froch.
He doesn’t - there’s the bell!
Smith vs Allington
22:28 , Alex Young
Into the 11th and Allington is still shaking off left hands and right, without ever really laying a finger on Smith.
Smith must wonder how his opponent is still standing, and I’m with him. Gotta hand it to Allington!
We will have a 12th.
Smith vs Allington
22:24 , Alex Young
Oof, Smith just picks up Allington and chucks him to the ground as the 10th round begins. The crowd boo and the referee gives him a stern telling off. That’s unnecessary.
Back to the actual act of boxing, Smith - now with a slight cut to his left eye - lands two superb right hands but still Allington refuses to back down.
Smith vs Allington
22:20 , Alex Young
Smith cracks another uppercut right on Allington’s chin, how many more of these can he seemingly shake off?
Allington looks like he’s done 20 rounds and Smith is starting to warm up... two big shots from Smith land and rock Allington back onto his heels, but he’s soon back to onto to toes and skipping around the ring.
Another thump to the chest and the crowd sense another early finish as Allington’s knees shake... but there’s the bell!
Smith vs Allington
22:16 , Alex Young
A big, big left hand clocks Allington straight in his chin and the latter is down onto the canvas on his left knee just seconds into the eighth round.
Is it over? It looks it... but, no. Allington beats the clock and is up on his feet. Smith doesn’t want a ninth, and flies back into his opponent but Allington is back bopping around the ring, albeit in far more weary manner.
Another left hook, left uppercut from Smith on the bell. We will have a ninth.
Smith vs Allington
22:12 , Alex Young
Smith lands a find overhand right and then another. It’s a scrappy affair, not helped by Allington’s relentless bouncing around - he must be knackered and certainly looks it.
Allington has been the distance once before, and Smith - who has never been 12 rounds - won’t want that to happen.
Into the eighth...
Smith vs Allington
22:08 , Alex Young
Allington is yet to win a round, says Carl Froch, as the sixth begins.
You can’t fault the Surrey boxer’s determination, though, as we hit the halfway mark. Smith hits a left and right hook to keep Allington at bay, but his opponent may have edged a round with little action as he lands a quick two hits to the body as the bell goes.
Smith vs Allington
22:04 , Alex Young
Allington is really starting to tire now and finding it impossible to land anything of note on the champion, who by comparison is in control and waiting for that final attack.
Smith is patient, moving into then centre of the ring to allow Allington to further tire himself out. Twice he gets called up for pushing.
Allington hits the deck after a tumble but a left uppercut followed by a left hook quickly comes from Smith.
“More, more” Allington’s corner demand.
Smith vs Allington
22:00 , Alex Young
Allington just does not stop twitching, feinting and shimmying, but at the moment he is unable to open up Smith... who senses an opportunity with 30 seconds to go of the round with a super flurry of right and left to the body and face.
Allington is stunned and just about hangs on to the bell.
“That’s a lot better,” Smith’s corner exclaims.
Smith vs Allington
21:55 , Alex Young
The third round rings with the referee almost immediately calling a time out after another rough grab from Smith on Allington’s head.
Allington finally lands a few jabs, but they aren’t bothering Smith, who again pushes Allington’s chin up to anger then ref.
Not too impressive from either after three rounds, to be honest.
Smith vs Allington
21:51 , Alex Young
Allington’s corner tells him they want to see more of his jab as the second round begins. He heeds their advice but with little avail as Smith is finding it far too easy to counter.
Allington seems a bit tense, perhaps reluctant, against his opponent he is bouncing across the ring and then lands an uppercut as the bell dings.
Smith vs Allington
21:47 , Alex Young
The Nottingham Arena is approaching capacity as the first round gets underway.
It’s a tetchy start from both, with Smith looking for openings and Allington landing the first he spots. In stark contrast to Cully and Clarke.
21:43 , Alex Young
Allington is introduced to boos. It’s fair to say they Smith is the crowd favourite - likely because it’s from Sheffield and not Surrey?
21:42 , Alex Young
Here comes the champ, then. Smith comes out to the Arctic Monkeys. He stalks the top of the walk, mouthing along to ‘When the Sun Goes Down’.
He’s a scumbag, don’t you know?
Next up?
21:31 , Alex Young
Dalton Smith takes on Billy Allington with the British super-lightweight title on the line.
Cully vs Flores result
21:27 , Alex Young
Cully wins by TKO and claims the WBA intercontinental lightweight title!
A devastating performance as eye-catching as his shorts.
Cully vs Flores
21:23 , Alex Young
Cully is a livewire and floors Flores midway through the second round. He beats the clock but just barely and it’s game over seconds later as Cully finishes him off.
What an impressive performance from Cully, that was really something against an unbeaten fighter. Flores looked helpless!
Cully vs Flores
21:19 , Alex Young
It took Cully just 35 seconds to win his last fight, but he’s in for a longer bout tonight even if he starts with an incredibly high pace on southpaw.
Flores is busted open inside 90 seconds, just above the right eye, and it doesn’t look good. Cully follows up with a left hand and this is already looking ominous for Flores.
21:11 , Alex Young
It’s Gary Cully vs Wilfredo Flores up next - two unbeaten lightweights facing off!
Clarke vs Duffus decision
21:01 , Alex Young
Cheavon Clarke makes it five wins from five as a pro by beating Israel Duffus by unanimous decision.
The stand-in opponent five times hit the canvas but that smile never left his face.
Clarke vs Duffus
20:57 , Alex Young
Oof, Clarke comes out firing and lands some big hooks to kick off the final three minutes. Duffus still has that wide smile across his face, even after getting hit with another right uppercut.
A double jab to left uppercuts is smart from Duffus but Clarke is in control of this final round and that fight, he knows he’s won this... AS DUFFUS IS KNOCKED TO THE CANVAS WITH CLARKE’S FINAL PUNCH!
What a finale!
Clarke vs Duffus
20:53 , Alex Young
This continues to be an impressive showing from Clarke, given his inexperience, but Duffus looks less troubles than he was two or three rounds ago.
A few more left hooks land on Duffus’ chin, and Clarke is skipping around the ring with a bit of spring in his step which is perhaps not too advisable.
Clarke misses a big right but follows up with a left to the body. We’re going to the final round.
Clarke vs Duffus
20:49 , Alex Young
This fight has now run twice as long as any of the previous four Clarke has competed in his pro career, and the pace his understandably dropped. Few hits and Duffus will be happy with that.
20:46 , Alex Young
I’m not quite sure how Duffus is in this, and his corner seemingly agree as they ask him: “How are you? Are you still here?”
Into the eighth, will be see a ninth?
Clarke vs Duffus
20:46 , Alex Young
Into the seventh and Duffus is looking to regain a foothold in the fight with a few quick jabs, a couple of which connect.
Both fighters continue to flag and Duffus takes a tumble when slipping on the canvas. It disorientates him and Clarke is able to land a right and left in quick succession with Duffus does well to shake off.
Duffus is on the canvas once more and again beats the clock with little of the round to go and someone lands a cracking left hand on Clarke’s chest.
Clarke vs Duffus
20:41 , Alex Young
Duffus hits the canvas withing seconds of the sixth starting, but it’s more of a trip then forced by his opponent. Clarke though, won’t miss an opportunity and forces Duffus into the corner before the ref intervenes.
Duffus needs a break, much to the frustration of the booing Nottingham crowd. It’s almost 30 seconds until the pair meet again in the middle and Clarke wants this over with as soon as possible, connecting with sustained attacks from body to jaw until Duffus’ is hit with his left and hits the deck.
Duffus beats the clock and his legs are wobbling, but it’s now Clarke’s turn to trip which gives the former another breather as the bell goes.
Clarke vs Duffus
20:36 , Alex Young
Clarke begins the fifth round of a pro fight for the first time in his short career, and begins with a plum left hand straight onto Duffus’ nose. The American shakes it off with a grimace.
Duffus remains a threat despite Clarke edging the bout and hits a super right hook twice after dodging a jab, but Clarke sends the round on top with a thumping right of his own and his opponent is saved by the bell.
Into the sixth...
Clarke vs Duffus
20:32 , Alex Young
Clarke is busted open above his left eye and now the tempo of the fight is raised. Duffus is reacting well to what Clarke throws at him, the Gravesend man trying to manage what already looks like an exhausting fight just four rounds in.
Duffus is careless right on the bell and gets a right hand flush to the face for his trouble.
Clarke vs Duffus
20:28 , Alex Young
Clarke ducks and lands a superb left hand on Duffus, who staggers but smirks back. He’s still bursting with confidence, until Clarke clocks him with an uppercut.
Finally a flinch with Duffus, who now looks a bit rattled and is on the back foot for the first time. A flurry at the end of the round, connecting three times with right hooks, has turned this fight on its head.
20:25 , Alex Young
According to Duffus’ corner, they are in this for the long haul. I would say try telling the fighter that, but that’s exactly what they are doing, to be fair.
Here comes round three.
Clarke vs Duffus
20:23 , Alex Young
Duffus was always unlikely to last the 10 rounds, and he knows it the way he’s coming out firing.
The second round is much like the first: on the front foot, confident and powerful. Clarke is struggling to lay a finger at the moment.
Clarke vs Duffus
20:21 , Alex Young
It’s an impressive opening round from Duffus, who is trying to catch Clarke off guard as a late replacement. Two big right hands and Clarke has to take a few steps back.
At least the Olympian is moving, which is more than could be said for countryman Yafai.
Clarke vs Duffus
20:14 , Alex Young
Next up is Cheavon Clarke vs Israel Duffus.
Former Olympian Clarke, from Gravesend, was originally due to fight Dec Spelman but the former light heavyweight English champion has been forced to retire from the sport after failing a brain scan.
Clarke will now take his 4-0 unbeaten record to face Duffus, who is 20-8.
20:04 , Alex Young
Ruiz puts on an Argentina shirt to celebrate, and why not.
Yafai vs Ruiz decision
20:02 , Alex Young
Diego Alberto Ruiz defeats Gamal Yafai via unanimous decision (98-89, 97-90, 97-91)
Yafai vs Ruiz
19:59 , Alex Young
Yafai hits the deck as Ruiz connects with a fine left hook. Again the Brummie beats the clock he’s just a standing target for the final 90 seconds or so as Ruiz starts picking him off again.
I’m stunned Yafai makes the final bell, but he does! He has won two of 10 rounds by my count, what do the judges think?
Yafai vs Ruiz
19:57 , Alex Young
More bravery from Yafai in what is now clearly, and quite literally, a losing battle. He heeds his corner’s advice he starts moving that head of his, and Ruiz struggles to land a significant blow for the first time in this bout.
Into the tenth...
Yafai vs Ruiz
19:52 , Alex Young
Yafai has been second-best throughout but he isn’t half giving it a go as we enter the final two rounds, going hard into the body but gets clocked with a right hand on the bell.
Yafai’s corner are furious with him, threatening to throw in the towel if he doesn’t start moving his head.
Yafai vs Ruiz
19:47 , Alex Young
After a couple of rounds of hope for Yafai, Ruiz has again taken control of the fight. He’s stalking his opponent in a calculated manner, just waiting for Yafai to attack and then just picking him off.
Yafai looks far the more tired now.
Into round eight we go...
Yafai vs Ruiz
19:40 , Alex Young
It’s been an impressive comeback from Yafai over the fourth and fifth round. Ruiz is starting to flag as we begin the sixth and Yafai’s corner is telling him he must continue to improve to have any chance of a points win.
Yafai vs Ruiz
19:32 , Alex Young
Yafai has twice hit the canvas across the opening three rounds of this 10-round contest.
The writing already appears on the wall for the Birmingham man.
19:20 , Alex Young
This is a super-bantamweight fight. Diego Ruiz is looking to win his first fight five, having endured two defeats last year.
19:04 , Alex Young
Right, it’s time for the undercard to begin with Gamal Yafai taking on Diego Ruiz.
Yafai last fought in June 2022 when he beat Sean Cairns but the year earlier lost to Jason Cunningham and faces a fighter tonight boasting a 23-1-6 record, so is far from a pushover.
What’s Lara said?
18:52 , Alex Young
He has something that I want, and I’m willing to put my life on the line to win that title. In this world title fight you will see a different Bronco Lara. I will not lose the guts and courage needed to destroy opponents.
For each fight you work differently. In my last fights, I have worked differently, mistakes or not, but different. That is what I want to produce in each fight, something different.
I feel happy, motivated. This is my year, I want to be a world champion, and I will be a world champion.
What’s Wood said?
18:41 , Alex Young
I prefer being an underdog and I love proving people wrong. People tweet me all the time and say, ‘this is a mismatch and I’m going to lose’ but if you look at my Twitter I retweet them because it fuels me. Winning fuels me.
Lara has a style that suits me. Conlan was all wrong for me stylistically, but styles make fights and I’m confident in my ability. If I approach this fight wrong, it could be brutal. Lara is good and we saw that in the first fight with Josh Warrington, but if I do as I plan, this fight won’t reach halfway – I’m going to get Lara out of there.
“[Lara] said I faked my injury and that annoyed me. Why would I fake my injury? I didn’t have to fight him, this is a voluntary defence, but I want to test myself and I’m going to show him what I’m all about.
Undercard to go
18:32 , Alex Young
Four down, six to go tonight.
Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara
Dalton Smith vs Billy Allington
Gary Cully vs Wilfredo Flores
Cheavon Clarke vs Israel Duffus
Gamal Yafai vs Diego Alberto Ruiz
Aaron Bowen vs Mathieu Gomes
18:26 , Alex Young
We’re flying through the prelims. Junaid Bostan has just beaten Peter Kramer by TKO in the seventh round of their super welterweight clash.
Wood vs Lara prediction
18:20 , Alex Young
Regarding tonight’s main event, though, Wood deserves huge credit for choosing Lara as a voluntary defence, a bout most in his position would have certainly avoided.
The Nottingham fight is no stranger to being the underdog or having to come through incredibly tough tests in a fight, as Michael Conlan found out 11 months ago.
Whether he can afford to be in that much trouble against Lara is another matter, with the Mexican possessing the concussive power to stop any opponent.
This is not likely to be a fight won through a defensive masterclass or through boxing at distance, with both having no issue with standing in the centre of the ring and trading.
Wood will keep coming and coming, with the fact his last two wins have come by stoppage in the 12th round proving he has the heart and the engine to go the distance.
His bravery will get him through some tough moments, but there may prove to be too many against a fighter as good as Lara.
Lara to win by stoppage, round seven.
18:08 , Alex Young
The action at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham is already underway with Sam Maxwell beating Shaun Cooper in tonight’s first bout before Kieron Conway made it a winning return to England by beating Jorge Silva, both on points.
Where to watch
18:00 , Alex Young
TV channel: In the UK, Wood vs Lara is available to watch live on DAZN. Before the Bell coverage begins at 3.30pm, before the main undercard gets underway at 7pm. It will cost £19.99 for new subscribers for the month, while DAZN regulars see it included in their regular price.
Live stream: Subscribers can use the DAZN app, which will offer a live stream for phones, tablets and other devices.
Welcome!
17:58 , Alex Young
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the WBA featherweight world title fight between Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara.
It’s a bold choice of challenger by Wood, who is by no means the favourite despite the backing of the home crowd.
Lara is the favourite to take another belt off a home British fighter having beaten Josh Warrington last year and faces Wood who has not fought in almost 12 months. The initial bout was scheduled for September only for Wood to pull out through injury.
There is also plenty of eye-catching action on the undercard as Dalton Smith defends his British super-lightweight belt, Olympian Cheavon Clarke is looking to make it a perfect five, Gamal Yafai will be looking to make amends after defeat to Jason Cunningham last year, while Kieron Conway is back in England after defeat in America last time out.
Stay tuned for live coverage throughout the night, with the main undercard starting at 7pm and the main event scheduled for 10pm.
