Comments Thread For: Leigh Wood-Mauricio Lara In Play For 9/24 Despite 8/12 Purse Bid For Wood-Santa Cruz

[pretty boy_]

The same Hearn that said PBC don’t work with anybody is pushing for this fight LMAO…

[ShoulderRoll]

Kiko Martinez will be the opponent. Coming off a loss.

[kiaba360]

The same Hearn that said PBC don’t work with anybody is pushing for this fight LMAO…

Context is important. Hearn wants a PBC fighter on DAZN, but he has to also keep his own fighter happy. The purse bid is 75/25 to LSC. For Wood to get paid what he wants, Hearn is gonna have to overpay for LSC. DAZN's pockets aren't as deep anymore, so Hearn needs to be more frugal. Enter Mauricio Lara, a dangerous and exciting fighter who won't cost as much as LSC, and will also be an easy sell to the UK audience because Lara made a great first impression against Warrington. Wood/Lara is a good match-up, and probably more entertaining as both are punchers.

Kiko Martinez will be the opponent. Coming off a loss.

In an interview, Hearn's shocked reaction implied that it was Wood who proposed the match-up. If Kiko/Wood happens, some of the blame would lie on Wood because that means he allowed Hearn to talk him out of it. If Wood wants to continue building his reputation, he should voluntarily face Lara next (if no LSC). Beating Lara makes the Wood/Warrington fight bigger.