The WBA sent a letter to the team of regular featherweight title holder Leigh Wood to remind him to send the medical documentation requested on September 27th.Wood was scheduled to fight Mauricio Lara last September 24th but suspended his fight based ona claimed injury to one of his biceps, a situation that was reported by the international press. A subsequent resolution sent by the WBA ordered the fight between Wood and WBA super champion Leo Santa Cruz as soon as Wood recovered from his injury. The WBA also wanted an estimate of Wood's recovery time, to be studied by the WBA Medical Committee. To date, Wood has not complied.

 

Pursuant to WBA Rule C.33, if a boxer refuses to participate in a mandatory defense, his title may become vacant, or he may be demoted or removed from the rankings. The body will give a five-day deadline to send documents related to the negotiations against Santa Cruz and Wood’s injury report.

 

PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE

 

SEPT. 13, 2022: A torn bicep suffered in sparring has ruled WBA regular title holder Leigh Wood out of his featherweight contest against Mexico’s Mauricio Lara at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, England on Saturday September 24th. The show will go ahead, with Maxi Hughes defending his IBO lightweight title against former IBF featherweight champion Kid Galahad in a huge Yorkshire derby at the top of the bill, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Australia and New Zealand). Hughes (25-2-2, 5 KOs), who is undefeated since November 2019, landed the IBO crown with a shutout points win over dangerous Mexican Jovanni Straffon in September last year before making a successful first defence against Ryan Walsh in March.

 

“We’re gutted to lose such an explosive headliner in Leigh Wood vs. Mauricio Lara so close to fight week but unfortunately Leigh suffered a torn bicep during sparring and there’s no way he can get in the ring against such a dangerous opponent with only one arm,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “I’m pleased to confirm that our show at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on September 24th will go ahead with the IBO lightweight world title clash between Yorkshire rivals Maxi Hughes and Kid Galahad now topping the bill."