Mauricio Lara stripped of world title with Leigh Wood rematch in jeopardy

A midweek weigh-in check prompted the British Boxing Board of Control to set a minimum weight of 128.5lbs for Lara to come in at, deeming it unsafe for him to attempt to make the 126lbs featherweight limit.

But during Friday’s weigh-in, the Mexican hit the scales at 129.8lbs.

Wood, who weighed in comfortably at 125.9lbs, can still challenge for the vacant belt with the WBA stripping Lara of his champion status.

A brief statement from the sanctioning body said: ‘Mauricio Lara lost the World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight belt after not being able to make weight today.

‘However, Leigh Wood will be able to opt for the title.’

Wood’s head trainer Ben Davison, who pulled his man out of the first fight after being floored be a devastating left hook in the seventh round, was furious with the developments and suggested the bout could yet be called off.

‘Realistically, it shouldn’t be happening, it is a disgrace,’ Davison said.

‘I’ve got nothing against Mauricio Lara and the whole team, they have been respectful throughout but it is an absolute shambles.’

He continued: ‘We’ll have to go away and have a talk amongst ourselves about the situation because he [Lara] is a dangerous fighter anyway.

‘I know he has struggled already to get where he has got to, that is something else we have to take into consideration but Leigh’s whole motivation is to become a two-time world champion.’

Lara is regarded as one of the hardest punching fighters in the featherweight division, making a name for himself in the UK with devastating wins over Wood and Josh Warrington.

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