Mauricio Lara: No problem returning to England for Wood rematch, Warrington trilogy

Mauricio Lara loves beating English fighters on their own turf.

The secondary 126-pound titlist has scored two of his most significant wins on British soil before exuberant British crowds that were reduced to a mere whisper when Mexico City's Lara knocked out their man.

On Saturday night, Lara scored a seventh-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Leigh Wood to add to his growing collection of British triumphs. In the first win, he knocked out former IBF champ Josh Warrington.

“As I’ve said, it’s almost like my second home here,” Lara said, according to his translator. “And, you know, thank God people applauded me and welcomed me really well. So, no problem.”

The decision will fall into the hands of Wood as he has a rematch clause in his contract. The former secondary titleholder said immediately after the loss that he wants to pursue the rematch. However, should Wood decide to exercise that option, he may still have to wait. Matchroom Sport head Eddie Hearn, who promotes Wood, proposed the idea of Lara vs. Warrington II and the winner taking on Wood in their following fight.

Lara-Wood II could still be on tap, however, Wood will make the final call.

“Right now, I’m tired,” Lara said. “I wanna spend some time with my family. It’s been a really long training camp. And, you know, whatever my manager says, whatever Eddie Hearn says. You know, I’m ready for it. I’ll take anything on.”

Wood appeared to be in control going into the seventh round of their scheduled 12-round bout. However, Lara beat him to the punch during an exchange of left hooks and sent Wood to the canvas flat on his back with 23 seconds to go in the frame. Wood (26-3, 16 KOs) was ahead on all three scorecards when Lara (26-2-1, 19 KOs) rudely interrupted his party.

Wood beat referee Michael Alexander's count but was still out of it. That was when Davison, Wood's trainer, threw in the towel, which forced Alexander to end their fight at 2:54 of the round at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England, Wood's hometown.

“It means a great deal,” Lara said. “You know, it comes from hard work, dedication. I came here with a suitcase of dreams and it means, you know, a great deal. It’s almost like I’ve been carrying a huge weight, a burden, a stone on my back. And this is for Mexico, and this is also for my family and my daughter.”