VA
  • TGT on YouTube
  • About TGT
  • The TGT Team
  • How TGT rates
  • Responsible Gambling Advice
  • Contact Our Team
  • Writers Wanted
  • Content Disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
Contains commercial content
Billboard Left
Billboard Left
The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / Underdog Leigh Wood determined to prove the oddsmakers wrong again

Underdog Leigh Wood determined to prove the oddsmakers wrong again

Publish Date: 02/15/2023
Fact checked by: Mike Goodpaster

Oddsmakers are favoring Mauricio Lara to defeat WBA featherweight champion Leigh Wood in Nottingham, Eng. this Saturday night against tough Mauricio Lara.

Wood is unbothered.

“I prefer being an underdog, and I love proving people wrong,” Wood said.

Wood proved it in 2021 when he stopped heavily favored Xu Can to capture his belt. Wood felt underestimated when he fought skillful Michael Conlan last year.

Video: FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS | Xu Can vs. Leigh Wood

FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS | Xu Can vs. Leigh Wood

A few minutes into the bout, he found himself on the canvas, courtesy of a beautiful overhand left.

Wood got up, but his legs betrayed him.

But not his heart.

He found the will to battle on, eating more shots but refusing to cave. Through six rounds, it was all Conlan, but Wood was doing better – climbing the mountain while avoiding disaster.

Wood relentlessly walked after Conlan in round 10, eating blow after blow but landing several of his own. Conlan was tired when round 11 commenced. Wood attacked, forcing Conlan to the ropes and unloading – eventually landing a wicked right that knocked Conlan unconscious and out of the ring.

Video: FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS | Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan

FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS | Leigh Wood vs Michael Conlan

Lara knows something about being an underdog as well. Two years ago, he faced former IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington in what many called a tune-up. Lara started slowly, happy to take a few to land his own. In round four, a variety of winging shots wobbled Warrington. A crushing left hook collapsed him. He beat the count but was in a world of hurt.

Warrington survived, but in round nine, after rallying bravely, a right hand punctuated by a crushing left hook dropped Warrington on his back.

The fight was emphatically over.

A sequel went down seven months after the original.

After an exciting first round, a nasty headbutt ended matters a few minutes later.

Lara fought twice in 2022, winning by knockout. The guy has thudding power in both hands. His confidence has grown since his win over Warrington.

Promoter Eddie Hearn expects a great fight this Saturday night.

β€œI think Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara has all the ingredients to be the fight of the year. We saw the event, knockout of the year, in Leigh Wood against Michael Conlan in the same arena. The arena is going to be jam-packed. It’s so unusual to see a world champion in his hometown, being nearly a 3/1 outsider in a voluntary defense. β€œMauricio Lara is so convinced he walks through Leigh Wood in Nottingham. It’s going to be an absolute thriller,” added Hearn.

Wood is ready.

Video: Wood vs. Lara: Dance With the Devil Mini Documentary

Wood vs. Lara: Dance With the Devil Mini Documentary

β€œMauricio Lara has made things personal between us with the disrespect he showed me regarding my injury and my country. I’m going to show him what I’m all about. See you on February 18 in Nottingham – And Still!.”

Lara is impatient for the fight to start.

β€œI have been waiting for this opportunity for two years,” said Lara. “I’m not going to waste it. Your time has come, Leigh Wood.”

Lara, at 24, is ten years younger than Wood.

Wood is the better boxer. Lara hits harder. Wood will have to get Lara to respect his power. A tall order.

A famous movie line comes to mind.

“Fasten your seatbelts; it’s going to be a bumpy night.”

Billboard Left
Billboard Left
Read Also
Conlan vs. Wood: Both Men On The Back Of Career Outings.
  When Michael Conlan and Leigh Wood enter the ring on Saturday ...
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
SI Sportsbook Promo
Michael Nunn and Iran Barkley Discuss Their Bout, Bob Arum, and the Four Kings
Mountains to Climb, Pebbles in Your Shoe β€œI always say that was ...
Elmer Ray: The Humble Man of Hastings
"Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for ...
Peter Maher: An Irish Tribute
INTRO: I was seriously ill in 2018 with 7 nights in the ...
Ranking the top 200 players in the NFL ahead of the 2021 season
This list isn’t based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. ...
Jack Moriarty and 1880’s Canadian Boxing
Sports journalist, Ed Fitkin, worked in print journalism atΒ Toronto’s Daily GlobeΒ would find ...
The Forgotten Canadian Champion (And Maybe It’s Deserved): Billy Hawkins
As Mike Goodpaster and I prepare our popular Old-Time Boxing Show podcast, ...
The Army Boxer Who Knocked-Down Muhammad Ali (1960)
I had wanted to write a boxing story about Junebug Hudson for ...
Sportsbook of the month
SI Sportsbook - Get your Free Bet now! Get your Free Bet now!
Top Brands
Top Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.9/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.9/5
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games Review
4.8/5
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots Review
4.7/5
SweepSlots
SweepSlots
SweepSlots Review
4.6/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.9/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.9/5
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games Bonus
Join GOLDEN2000 for 2,000 FREE coins
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots Bonus
7,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
SweepSlots
SweepSlots Bonus
1,000 Gold Coins Daily
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Latest News
Final Four Promo Code: Get $500 on UConn vs Miami
March Madness has provided plenty of drama and ...
Final Four Promo Code: Get up to $500 in bonus cash
March Madness has made for irresistible viewing, and ...
March Madness Promo Code: Bet $100 Get $10 in Free Bets
We’re rattling through the Sweet 16 games at ...
Betting Tips
Ottawa Senators – Philadelphia Flyers
03/30/2023 - 11:00 pm
Tip:
Home/Away: Home
1.7
Bet365
Bet Now
Pittsburgh Penguins – Nashville Predators
03/30/2023 - 11:00 pm
Tip:
Home/Away: Home
1.5
Bet365
Bet Now
Tampa Bay Lightning – Washington Capitals
03/30/2023 - 11:00 pm
Tip:
Home/Away: Home
1.5
Bet365
Bet Now
Our Latest YouTube Videos
Video: MLB Best bet of the Day: Pirates vs Reds 3/30/23
MLB Best bet of the Day: Pirates vs Reds 3/30/23
Video: March Madness Betting Special: Final Four Miami vs UCONN
March Madness Betting Special: Final Four Miami vs UCONN
Video: March Madness Betting Special: Final Four Florida Atlantic vs San Diego State
March Madness Betting Special: Final Four Florida Atlantic vs San Diego State
Sportsbook of the month
SI Sportsbook - Get your Free Bet now! Get your Free Bet now!
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....
Top Online Casinos
Top Casinos Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.9/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.9/5
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games Review
4.8/5
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots Review
4.7/5
SweepSlots
SweepSlots
SweepSlots Review
4.6/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.9/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.9/5
Golden Hearts Games
Golden Hearts Games Bonus
Join GOLDEN2000 for 2,000 FREE coins
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
LuckyLand Slots
LuckyLand Slots Bonus
7,000 Gold Coins + 10 Sweeps Coins
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
SweepSlots
SweepSlots Bonus
1,000 Gold Coins Daily
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
SI Sportsbook
SI Sportsbook
SI Sportsbook Review
4.9/5
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.8/5
PointsBet
PointsBet
PointsBet Review
4.7/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Review
4.6/5
DraftKings
DraftKings
DraftKings Review
4.6/5
SI Sportsbook
SI Sportsbook Bonus
BET $20 GET $200 IN FREE BETS
T&Cs apply
4.9/5
First deposit only | 21+ & located in VA | Promo code as seen| A qualifying bet is $20 or more | Min odds of +120 or more | Free Bet Tokens credited after bet is settled and expire after 7 days | Free Bet stakes not included in winnings | Please Gamble Responsibly - Gambling Problem? VA: CALL 1-888-532-3500 | Full T&C apply
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
Bet $1 & Get $365 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.8/5
Bet $1 and Get $365 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
PointsBet
PointsBet Bonus
5 x $50Bet Credits
T&Cs apply
4.7/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Bonus
100% up to $500
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
DraftKings
DraftKings Bonus
20% up to $1000
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterAuthor IconJosh SchwartzSamuel TeetsSimon Briffa
+8
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Author Icon
Christopher Carlson
Content Writer
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Chris Benedict
Chris Benedict
Editor
Author Icon
Malik Zorrok
Author
Author Icon
Daniel Kornhauser
Author
John Raspanti
John Raspanti
Author
Author Icon
Buddy Gibbs
Author
Brian Coburn
Brian Coburn
Author
Peter Bonahoom
Peter Bonahoom
Author
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....

If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into β€œThe Grueling Truth” sports shows, β€œWhere the legends speak”

Contact us: [email protected]

Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.

21+NCPG
Move to Top
Close
Stake.us Exclusive Bonus
5% Rakeback
Promo Code
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 21+
Payment Methods
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Ethereum
Dogecoin
Highlights
  • Social casino loved by Drake!
  • Play Plinko, Hilo, Crash and more!
  • Get Stake Cash bonuses every day!
Stake Originals
Dice
Crash
Plinko
Mines
×
Your Bonus Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site