Wood vs Lara: Start time, undercard, prediction, ring walks and latest betting odds tonight

The 34-year-old, who won the belt in 2021 by beating Xu Can, has been out of the ring for almost a year since he fought Michael Conlan last March.

That was named Fight of the Year 2022 by The Ring magazine as Wood recovered from being knocked down in the first round and falling behind in the final three minutes to knock out Conlan in the 12th round. His record now stands at 26-2, with losses to Jazza Dickens and Gavin McDonnell early in his career.

Lara is no stranger to British fight fans, having fought Josh Warrington twice. The Mexican stunned Warrington in 2021 when the Leeds man was stopped in the ninth round in the first loss of his career while the rematch lasted just two rounds due to a headbutt.

Lara now gets his first shot at a world title and an action packed fight awaits. Wood, who was due to fight the 24-year-old last September but retired injured, is often questioned.

“I prefer to be an outsider and I love proving people wrong,” Wood said. “Lara has a style that suits me. Conlan was completely wrong for me stylistically, but styles do fight and I’m confident in my abilities.

“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 what I’m about to do, this fight won’t go halfway – I’ll get Lara out of there.”

Wood vs Lara Date, Start Time, Venue and Walkthroughs

Wood vs Lara takes place on Saturday 18th February 2023 at the Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham.

The main sub-map is scheduled to start from 19:00 GMT, with the ring walks for the main event expected around 22:30.

As always, exact times will depend on the length of the undercard fights.

Wood vs. Lara Full Length Fight Card/Undercard

Dalton Smith is in action on the undercard while defending his British super lightweight belt against Billy Allington and looking to win that title straight and move up to 14-0 before setting his sights on the European title. Olympian Cheavon Clarke faces his fifth professional opponent after winning all four of his previous bouts at distance. He faces Dec Spelman in an eliminator for the English cruiserweight title.

Gamal Yafai, previously European champion, continues his rebuild after losing to Jason Cunningham last year as he fights Argentina’s Diego Alberto Ruiz. Kieron Conway, who was beaten by Ammo Williams on the Canelo Alvarez-Gennady Golovkin undercard in September, also returns.

Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara

Dalton Smith vs. Billy Allington

Gary Cully vs. Wilfredo Flores

Cheavon Clarke vs. Israel Duffus

Gamal Yafai versus Diego Alberto Ruiz

Aaron Bowen vs. Mathieu Gomes

Junaid Bostan vs. Peter Kramer

Kieron Conway vs Jorge Silva

Nico Leivars vs Alberto Motos

Sam Maxwell vs Shaun Cooper

How to watch Wood vs Lara

TV channel: In the UK, Wood vs. Lara can be followed live on DAZN. Before Bell coverage starts at 3:30pm before main sub-map starts at 7pm.

Live broadcast: Subscribers can use the DAZN app, which offers a live stream for phones, tablets and other devices.

Live broadcast: Follow live coverage throughout the map standard sport Fight Night Blog.

Wood vs Lara fight prediction

Wood deserves great credit for choosing Lara as a volunteer defense, a fight that most in his position would certainly have avoided.

The Nottingham fight is no stranger to being the underdog or having to endure incredibly tough tests in a fight, as Michael Conlan found out 11 months ago.

Whether he can afford to be in so much trouble against Lara is another question as the Mexican has the power to stop any opponent.

This is unlikely to be a fight won by defensive masterclass or distance boxing as both have no problem standing and trading in the center of the ring.

Wood will keep coming and coming, with the fact that his last two wins came via a 12th-lap stoppage proving he has the heart and engine to go the distance.

His bravery will get him through some tough moments, but it might prove too many against a fighter as good as Lara.

Lara wins by standing still, round seven.

Wood vs Lara Weigh Results

The fighters weighed in on Friday afternoon, with both coming in right at the 126-pound mark.

Wood vs Lara betting odds

Gain wood: 11/5

Lara wins: 4/11

Draw: 16.1

Holz wins by KO, TKO, or DQ: 7/2

Wood wins by decision/technical decision: 7/1

Lara wins by KO, TKO, or DQ: 1/2

Lara wins by decision/technical decision: 8/1

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).