Leigh Wood vs Mauricio Lara, set for February 18, has a higher xV (Expected Violence) than most other fights

WHILE you possibly can by no means say with any actual certainty that a scheduled combat will probably be a “Fight of the Year” candidate, some fights are typically safer bets than others.

The lately introduced February 18 featherweight combat between Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara, for instance, is one combat which, had been it measured like a soccer recreation, would have a higher Expected Violence (xV) score than all other fights both already made or quickly to be made this yr.

It is, in spite of everything, a battle between two of the most constantly thrilling fighters within the nine-stone division. It matches Wood, whose final combat was a gorgeous Twelfth-round knockout win towards Michael Conlan in Nottingham, with somebody, in Lara, who rose to prominence within the UK with an upset mauling of Leeds favorite Josh Warrington in 2021. Added to this already explosive combine, too, is a WBA featherweight belt and no small quantity of needle, which seems to stem from the combat beforehand falling aside and stays, as at all times, a beneficial advertising device.

“Mauricio Lara has made things personal between us with the disrespect he showed me regarding my injury and my country,” mentioned Wood, 26-2 (16). “I’m going to show him what I’m all about. See you on February 18 in Nottingham – and still!”

Thirty-four-year-old Wood, who has improved extra than most fighters in recent times, may very well be seen on social media on Monday – the day the Lara combat was introduced – rejecting any and all reward given to him for accepting this combat with Lara. He mentioned, in response, that any reward meant for him ought to be delayed till after the combat, as soon as he has defeated Lara, the implication being that a fighter – a true fighter – ought to by no means be celebrated for merely doing what is anticipated of them: taking the hardest challenges on the market.

He has a level, too. Moreover, there’s each likelihood Lara, a fighter after Wood’s personal coronary heart, would additionally share this perception.

“I have been waiting for this opportunity for two years and I am not going to waste it,” mentioned Lara, 25-2-1 (18). “In February 2021 I beat Warrington in England and now, in 2023, I will do the same with Wood. The WBA 126lbs ‘world’ title goes to Mexico; that I promised to my daughter, my family, my team and to my whole country. Your time has come Leigh Wood. No ‘injury’ can save you now from this.”

Speaking for us all, promoter Eddie Hearn lastly added, “Quite merely that is a combat that it’s a must to watch via your fingers.

“After the drama of the Conlan fight last March, Leigh Wood is about to bring another night of drama to the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham against the brutal, fearless and much-avoided Mauricio Lara. This fight leads Leigh to the City Ground in the summer but first get ready for an epic main event and another FOTY (Fight of the Year) contender in Nottingham on February 18.”