Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara: Fight Night LIVE Recap

Re-live the drama from Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena as Mauricio Lara stopped Leigh Wood in the seventh round to capture the WBA featherweight title.

MAIN CARD:
Mauricio Lara bt Leigh Wood (TKO - R7)
Dalton Smith bt Billy Allington (UD)
Gary Cully bt Wilfredo Flores (TKO - R2)
Cheavon Clarke bt Israel Duffus (UD)
Diego Alberto Ruiz bt Gamal Yafai (UD)

All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time. 

View the latest markets, odds and Bet Boosts for tonight's Boxing
 

Boxing Betting Tips

Hear the thoughts of our resident Boxing expert Rob Tebbutt ahead of Saturday night's card.
 

23:37
And the new...

What a moment for Lara, who is in tears as he takes grasp of the WBA featherweight title.

He drifted out to 11/4 from 2/7 but somehow turned the fight back in his favour with a monstrous left hook which took Wood out.

Questions will be asked as to whether the Englishman could have continued, but Ben Davison put the welfare of his man first and threw in the towel.

That was as pulsating and exhilarating as we had all hoped, but sadly it didn't end in the way we wanted.

I'd certainly be more than up for seeing the pair lock-horns for a second time though. What a scrap that was. Credit to them both.

Thanks for joining us, and remember there is plenty more boxing ahead, so check out all the latest odds.

Goodnight.
 

23:31
Mauricio Lara stuns Leigh Wood in the seventh

Wow, the fight is over - Wood is sent crashing to the canvas after Lara lands a huge shot!

Wood just about gets back to his feet and beats the count, but his lights were off - Davison launches the towel in to the ring.

He isn't happy with the decision but he looked out for the count there - and for me, that was a great decision from the corner.

Lara celebrates a remarkable victory having played second-fiddle to Wood for long parts of the fight.

That remarkable power showed though as a huge left hook landed flush.
 

23:28
Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara (Round Six)

Sensational work from Wood as we reach the halfway point.

He looks stronger, fitter and heavier handed now - Lara is gasping in his chair - has he ran out of steam?

Ben Davison in Wood's corner is telling his man to get right at Lara and pile the pressure on...
 

23:24
Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara (Round Five)

It's tiresome just watching these two warriors going at it.

Another round of heavy hitting as Wood's cut above his left eye opens up a little more.

Lara is starting to tire, and let's not forget many were tipping Wood to get the job done if the bout went beyond four rounds.

We are heading into the sixth... and the defending champion is now into 6/5 from 2/1 pre-fight.

View the latest odds
 

23:20
Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara (Round Four)

This is truly exhilarating.

Wood looks as though he has been through a 12-rounder already given the mess of his face, but this is by no means a one-way show.

Wood is having plenty of success of his own, and that was a round in which both fighters had real quality moments.
 

23:16
Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara (Round Three)

A much better round from Wood who looks to have recovered superbly well following that heavy barrage of punches he took in the second.

The better work in round three was carried out by the home city favourite, who is now 12/5 to see the job through tonight and retain his gold.

View the latest odds
 

23:12
Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara (Round Two)

Wow, Wood in all sorts of trouble as Lara ends the second round emphatically.

A barrage of blows crash off the jaw of the Nottingham fighter, who does well to stay upright and see there round through.

he started so well too, rocking the Mexican, before the title challenger flipped the round on its head. Tremendously calculated work from the favourite.
 

23:08
Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara (Round One)

Lara springing forward to try and connect a looping right but Wood has landed the two best punches of the round.

Lara is a tad wild in there, but his style often looks that way given his punch output, and the way he lunges himself forward.

An enjoyable opening three minutes, although Wood is nursing a little cut above his left eye following a head collision. 

View the latest odds
 

22:58
The atmosphere is ELECTRIC

Wow, two spine-tingling ringwalks, and we are seconds away from what could be a pulsating world title affair.

The locals are bang up for this one.

Can Leigh Wood prevail victorious and retain hold of his prized strap or is the title heading back to Mexico with Mauricio Lara.

Wood is the 7/4 pre-fight underdog; Lara the 2/5 favourite.

This could be spectacular. 
 

22:42
Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara Bet Boosts >>

A reminder that we have a number of Bet Boosts available on Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara, which gets underway imminently...

Bet Boosts >>

Mauricio Lara to Win in Round 3
Was 12/1 >> Now 14/1

Leigh Wood by KO, TKO or Disqualification
Was 3/1 >> Now 10/3

Mauricio Lara to Win in Rounds 1 - 4 
Was 7/2 >> Now 4/1

View all available Bet Boosts, markets and odds
 

22:37
Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara - Tebbutt's Tip

You’ve got two massive punchers who will both be throwing big bombs right from the opening bell! 

I really don’t think this fight goes very long – in fact, I don’t think it goes past the halfway mark, which is why the bet I most like in this fight is for it to last ‘Under 5.5 Rounds’ – which is available at 11/10. 

If you are backing a side though, then the value has to be with Leigh Wood, who is BOOSTED to 4/1 to win the fight ‘By KO, TKO or Disqualification’ here at bet365. 

You can get even better value than that if you believe Wood can get Lara out of there between ‘Rounds 1 - 6’, with that priced up at a massive 9/1, whilst if you are fancying the Mexican after his destructive performances, you can get 3/1 on him to win within four rounds. 

Tebbutt’s Tip 

Total Rounds: 
Under 5.5 Rounds 
Price: 11/10 

View all Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara odds, markets and Bet Boosts
 

22:35
Up Next: Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara

Here we go then... the one we have all been waiting for.

We can expect fireworks in the ring as these two power-punches go hell for leather for the WBA featherweight title.

View the latest odds
 

22:33
Dalton Smith cruises to UD victory

The judges score it 120-107, 119-108 and 119-108 - all three by UD, and still undefeated Dalton Smith.

So comfortable on the scorecards as we expected, as Smith retains his British title.
 

22:31
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round 12)

Smith taken the distance for a second successive occasion, but there is no doubt he has prevailed with his title still intact.

Could he have got Allington out of there earlier in the night? Possibly so, but that was still very impressive work from the Sheffield fighter.

We await the official decision from the judges, but I anticipate all three being heavily in favour of Smith.
 

22:27
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round 11)

Another decent round for Smith, but I wonder just why he isn't pushing for that aggressive finish.

There's no doubting we've seen some really superb work from the Sheffield man, but he just appears to take his foot off the gas at times.

Allington has been there for the taking tonight, but we head in to the 12th and final round.
 

22:23
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round Ten)

Smith nursing a cut to his eye whilst he reacts in frustration, almost slamming his opponent down to the ground after the two locked horns in the corner.

The referee warned him but opted against docking a point.

Smith responded by launching two huge right hands, but, again, Allington shows great heart and courage to stick in there.

Smith is certainly showing more aggression as the fight wears on - it's just whether he can get that late stoppage now.
 

22:19
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round Nine)

Smith is laying it on Allington now as he tries to get the KO / stoppage victory he is after.

There's no doubt that he took his time to size up his opponent, but has really stepped on the gas over the last couple of rounds.

Fair play to Allington though, he is walking on to shots and being shook to the core, but he is still in there fighting.

Smith is a real class act though.
 

22:15
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round Eight)

A lovely left hook from Smith sends Allington to the canvas, but he isn't able to close the show in round eight.

A great three minutes for the reigning British champion who jumped on his opponent at the first sign of weakness.

Allington is still in there, but he looks like he is on the verge off being stopped. Smith could bring this to a close if he steps on the gas in the ninth.

View the latest odds
 

22:11
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round Seven)

Another round in the bag for Smith.

Nothing majorly glamorous from the Sheffield man, but he is doing enough to win these rounds with relative ease.

Allington needs to come out and at his opponent a tad more if he is to really start putting himself in contention in these final five rounds.
 

22:07
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round Six)

Allington, to his credit, enjoys a much improved sixth round.

Smith maybe just needs to let his hands go with a little more regularity, and not wait for those wide openings.

He is still in control but Allington is still a livelier in this one.
 

22:03
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round Five)

Another well controlled round for Smith, who is in total control of this fight.

He rarely wastes any energy, proffering to hunt his opponent down and show good patience to find the right shots.

Allington is doing his best to protect himself but is offering very little in terms of attacking intent.

View the latest odds
 

21:59
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round Four)

Tremendous round from Smith as he lands three or four thunderous shots to rattle the skull of Allington.

He's been patient with his work so far this evening, but he capitalised on his good work there to really wobble the legs of his opponent.

Smith will go after him early in the fifth, I am certain of that.
 

21:55
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round Three)

Smith starting to close the distance really well, and utilising his undoubted greater power.

Allington has been very cautious thus far, and refusing to open himself to any counters, but as the fight wears on, and Smith potentially chalks up the rounds, that will need to change.

View the latest odds
 

21:50
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round Two)

Some nice work from Smith as he starts to take control in the centre of the ring - but Allington will be pleased with the start he has made to the fight too.

Still awaiting the first real combinations of the bout, but those nicer scoring punches have come from Smith.
 

21:45
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington (Round One)

Both fighters understandably taking a measured approach to the fight, sizing each other up during the first three minutes.

I fully expect things to burst into life over the next couple of rounds, especially from a Dalton Smith perspective.

Not a great deal to report on in round one, just a couple of decent jabs from each off the two fighters.

View latest Boxing odds
 

21:27
Dalton Smith v Billy Allington - Tebbutt's Tip

Rob Tebbutt:

Elsewhere on the undercard in Nottingham, Dalton Smith puts his British super-lightweight title on the line against Billy Allington. 

This is a fight that I expect Dalton Smith to win, and to win well! He is one of the best prospects in British boxing – one of the best prospects in world boxing and I see him winning this one quickly. 

I expect him to have too much firepower, too much skill and too much pedigree for Billy Allington and I am looking at him to win this fight between ‘Rounds 1 - 4’, which you can get at the BOOSTED odds of 7/5. 

If you fancy him getting the job done even earlier, between ‘Rounds 1 – 3’ then you can back that at 2/1. 

Round Group Betting (3): 
Dalton Smith - ‘Rounds 1 - 4’ 
Price: 7/5 

View all Dalton Smith v Billy Allington odds, markets and Bet Boosts
 

21:25
Up Next: Dalton Smith v Billy Allington

Just one fight to go ahead of the main event as Dalton Smith looks to extend his unbeaten run and edge himself closer to a world title opportunity.

The Sheffield fighter is the huge 1/50 favourite to see off Allington, and we've got a couple of Bet Boosts available ahead of the fight.

Bet Boosts >>

Dalton Smith to Win in Round 7
Was 17/2 >> Now 9/1

Dalton Smith to Win in Rounds 1 - 4
Was 13/10 >> Now 7/5

View all Bet Boosts, markets and odds
 

21:21
Gary Cully stops Wilfredo Flores in two

Wow, another explosive finish from Cully, who displays outrageous power to drop Flores to the floor before finishing him off with a barrage of punches.

That left hand is some weapon - he smothers and overwhelms his opponents so well.

A quite superb victory for Cully.
 

21:18
Gary Cully v Wilfredo Flores (Round One)

The unbeaten Cully, donning very flash white and fluorescent pink shorts, starts typically well - cutting his opponent's right eye with a lovely left hook.

A hugely impressive first three minutes' work from the hard-hitting Irishman, who took full control of the opening round.

View latest odds
 

21:09
Bet Boosts available for tonight's main bout

A reminder that we have a number of Bet Boosts available on Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara, which gets underway at around 22:15 tonight.

Bet Boosts >>

Mauricio Lara to Win in Round 3
Was 12/1 >> Now 14/1

Leigh Wood by KO, TKO or Disqualification
Was 3/1 >> Now 10/3

Mauricio Lara to Win in Rounds 1 - 4 
Was 7/2 >> Now 4/1

View all available Bet Boosts, markets and odds
 

21:00
Up Next: Gary Cully v Wilfredo Flores

Gary Cully is 1/20 to get the job done and successfully defend his WBO European lightweight title.

View the latest odds
 

20:58
Cheavon Clarke scores a UD victory

98-88, 98-88, 98-90 - all three by UD in favour of Cheavon Clarke.

He moves to 5-0 after successfully coming through his toughest challenge to date.
 

20:56
Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus (Round Ten)

Clarke produces a grandstand finish to send Duffus packing for a fourth time in this fight right on the final bell.

Credit to Clarke for the way he has handled himself in there against a game and vastly more experienced fighter. 

This was a big step up in quality, and he came through it superbly well. We await confirmation of his victory.
 

20:52
Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus (Round Nine)

Both fighters starting to feel the pace of the fight as we head into the tenth.

Little in terms of scoring shots in round nine, and it will be interesting to see how Duffus approaches the final three minutes, knowing he needs a stoppage to get the victory he craves.

Clarke just needs to be sensible here and jab his way through the next three minutes.
 

20:48
Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus (Round Eight)

Another solid round for Clarke, who is undertaking the biggest challenge of his professional career to date.

Duffus ended the round well with a couple of good jabs, but he is going to need something special over the next six minutes if he is to inflict a first loss upon Clarke.
 

20:44
Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus (Round Seven)

Duffus down once again with 30 seconds of the seventh round remaining.

He just about recovers, and then lands a couple of counter-punches. He is a tough cookie, this man, who is going to take some shifting.

View latest odds
 

20:39
Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus (Round Six)

And start the sixth well he did, as Clarke sends Duffus down to the canvas just seconds after the restart.

The English fighters incredible power is starting to tell now - Duffus is struggling to deal with the hard-hitting nature of Clarke.

A barrage of blows opens the guard of Duffus before he drops to his knees for a second time in the fight. He looks damaged.

View latest odds
 

20:34
Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus (Round Five)

A great scoring round for Clarke who shows patience and class to forge an opening towards the end of the round.

A lovely right uppercut was followed by a beautifully timed hook which wobbled the legs of the American.

If Clarke can start the sixth well, then Duffus could be in big trouble.
 

20:30
Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus (Round Four)

A flashing right hand from Duffus draws blood from the head of Clarke, just above his left eye.

However, he responds so well to land a barrage of crushing left hooks to the jaw and body of the American.

This is a really enjoyable dust-up, which looks as though it could go any way.

View latest Boxing odds
 

20:26
Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus (Round Three)

Clarke lands by far the best shot of the contest with a pulverising right hand that sends Duffus into the ropes.

The American respond well though to see the round through, but that was Clarke's best round of the night.

He attacks well in a late attempt to send Duffus to the canvas, but the bell comes to his rescue.

 

20:22
Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus (Round Two)

A couple of almost sinister wry smiles from both fighters after being caught flush on the jaw.

It has been a really entertaining six minutes of fighting action, but I just sense this one isn't destined to last the full ten rounds.

It's not ignited into a firefight, but neither are afraid to pull the trigger when the opportunity arises. These are two, strong and very game guys.

View latest Boxing odds
 

20:18
Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus (Round One)

Some real heavy artillery on show in the first round as Clarke and Duffus trade blows from the first bell.

Duffus boasts an impressive KO ratio whilst Clarke has stopped all of his four opponents inside the distance.

Duffus probably just shades the opening three minutes.

View the latest odds
 

20:02
Up Next: Cheavon Clarke v Israel Duffus

Cheavon Clarke is 1/33 to maintain his impressive unbeaten professional record against 11/2 shot Israel Duffus - a late replacement after Clarke's scheduled opponent pulled out earlier this week.

View all upcoming Boxing odds
 

20:00
Gamal Yafai beaten on points

A landslide victory for Ruiz, who celebrates a huge victory over Gamal Yafai.

He revives his career as Yafai contemplates what his future holds after a second successive defeat.
 

19:57
Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz (Round Ten)

It started promisingly for Yafai, but those knockdowns in rounds two and three took the stuffing out of the Englishman.

He fought with heart and hope during the latter rounds, but he was no match for his opponent who scored a third knockdown midway through the final round.

We await official confirmation from the judges, but there is no doubt that the Argentinean, who was 7/1 pre-fight, has scored a huge victory here this evening.

A big, big upset in the first fight of the night.
 

19:53
Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz (Round Nine)

It's now or never for Yafai who loses yet another round, despite a spirited effort from Yafai who landed a couple of nice late shots.

He has three minutes to find something very special, otherwise it's a third professional defeat for the former European super-bantamweight title holder.

View latest odds
 

19:49
Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz (Round Eight)

A huge right hand from Ruiz to finish the eighth, but Yafai clings on to take it to a ninth round.

He has taken some punishment this evening which is a shame to see. I wonder whether his team will even let this go the distance...
 

19:45
Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz (Round Seven)

A far more calculated round from Ruiz as he calculates distance so well to take the round comfortably.

After taking his foot off the gas a tad in the sixth, he seized control of the seventh from the offset and never let Yafai off the hook.

He landed some lovely two and three shot combinations, and the Argentinean looks to be on course for his first success on these shores at the third time of asking.

View latest odds
 

19:41
Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz (Round Six)

A far better round from Yafai, who ups the ante somewhat in the sixth round of the fight.

He is going to need to maintain this pace over the final four rounds you'd feel - but he certainly looked the stronger and healthier of the two over the last three minutes.

View latest Yafai v Ruiz odds
 

19:37
Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz (Round Five)

Another solid round for Ruiz to further ascertain control on the fight.

This is a 10-rounder lets not forget, so Yafai is likely to need the stoppage to get the win he craves tonight.

He seems to have recovered from his early disappointments though, and Ruiz is ever so slightly starting to look a little fatigued.
 

19:33
Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz (Round Four)

Ruiz is popping shots off, left, right and centre. Yafai has one or two moments of success, but he can't gain any foothold on proceedings.

A couple of seemingly low-blows from Yafai, but the referee doesn't deem them low enough to warrant a warning to the Argentinean.

Slightly better from the Englishman, but trainer Jamie Moore will be demanding more from his fighter.

View latest odds
 

19:29
Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz (Round Three)

Ruiz having plenty of success out of the southpaw stance - Yafai just cannot get to grips with the Argentinean as he drops to his knee once again at the end of the round.

He does well to beat the count, but there is just no head movement at all! He is struggling to let his hands go - possibly for fear of being caught again.

Yafai is well behind now, and he has it all to do.

View the latest odds
 

19:25
Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz (Round Two)

Wow, a looping shot from Ruiz lands on the head of Yafai, and the Englishman is counted.

He manages to recompose himself, but takes further punishment over the course of the remaining couple of minutes in the second round.

I didn't see that coming - and neither did Yafai. This would be a huge upset if Ruiz can capitalise.
 

19:21
Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz (Round One)

Yafai sets a nice early pace as he looks to bounce back to winning ways following his loss at the hands off Jason Cunningham last year.

The Birmingham-born super-bantamweight looks nice and composed in there - utilising the jab well to ascertain early control of the fight.

View the latest In-Play odds on Yafai v Ruiz
 

19:00
Coming next...

View the latest odds ahead of Gamal Yafai v Diego Alberto Ruiz
 

18:45
Leigh Wood Exclusive Interview

Just in case you have missed it...

WBA featherweight world champion Leigh Wood sat down with Rob Tebbutt to discuss all things boxing ahead of his hotly-anticipated Nottingham homecoming later tonight.

Watch the full and exclusive interview
 

18:15
Leigh Wood v Mauricio Lara AYNTK

We're just a few hours away from the main event, but if you are still not fully clued up on what we have in-store, check out our All You Need To Know guide now.

CLICK HERE
 

18:00
Welcome to Fight Night LIVE

Good evening and welcome to the bet365 Sports and Betting News site for live coverage of tonight's huge night of boxing on Nottingham.

Home city favourite Leigh Wood (7/4) will step out in front of a raucous home crowd at around 22:30 as he looks to defend his prized WBA featherweight world title against the ferocious Mauricio Lara.

The Mexican, the 2/5 favourite, stunned Josh Warrington in Leeds a couple of years ago before the rematch was halted just a couple of rounds in with Lara nursing a nasty cut above his left eye.

Wood puts his strap on the line for a second time after prevailing over Michael Conlan in hugely dramatic circumstances 12 months ago, and will be hoping for a repeat performance this evening.

Elsewhere on the card, the hugely-impressive British super-lightweight champion Dalton Smith returns to action against Billy Allington, whilst the likes of Gary Cully, Cheavon Clarke and Galal Yafai also feature on the undercard.

View the latest odds ahead of all of tonight's Boxing