Barely Four Months After He Won It, Failure to Make the Weights Costs Mauricio Lara His WBA Belt

Leigh Wood couldn’t conceal his excitement as the weighing scale held him at 125.9 lbs, on Friday, thus making the Featherweight limits. But the story refused to meet a happy end when his archrival Mauricio Lara stood heavier by 3.9 lbs., or 129.8 lbs. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) had no other option but to halt the Mexican’s attempt to scale down to 126 lbs., keeping him out of harm’s way.

Riding on the back of a fantastic title defense against Michael Conlan last year, it was announced that Leigh Wood would defend his WBA Featherweight title, a second time from challenger Mauricio Lara on September 24. But the fight failed to materialize on account of Wood’s injury. A new date was fixed on February 18. The match in Nottingam’s Motorpoint Arena resulted in the third career loss for the Englishman when his corner threw the towel in the ring. The duo were to meet on May 27 for a rematch.

Mauricio Lara balloons up that the WBA belts no longer fit in

The BBBofC presided that Mauricio Lara’s weight couldn’t go anywhere less than 128.5 lbs. Michael Benson also shared an update yesterday that the Mexican boxer’s WBA belt has been removed as he failed to make the weights. According to an article on talkSPORT, the WBA’s statement read, “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.”

Generally, the title becomes vacant under such a scenario when a fighter fails to make the weights. However, the bout may continue, and if the challenger wins, the title goes to his kitty. So, in this case, Woods got the weighing scale in his favor. Hence his candidacy to claim the belts stays intact.

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But according to the article, Wood’s trainer Ben Davison, obviously unhappy over the whole affair, does not appear keen about the rematch. Hence there are chances of their camp abandoning the bout per se. He said, “Realistically, this shouldn’t be happening, should it?… We’re gonna have to have a look at the situation and go from there. I can’t sit here and say we 100 percent rule out the fight not taking place tomorrow. I can’t say that. It’s a discussion I’ve gotta have with Leigh.”

What is your opinion on Lara’s failure to meet the weight requirements? Do share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.

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