LEIGH Wood is going to have to fight fire with fire in Nottingham on Saturday night when he makes the second defence of his featherweight world title against the division’s big-hitting bogeyman Mauricio Lara.

Wood, 34, will need every voice inside his hometown Arena for support once the leather starts flying as the challenger only knows one way to fight – all out offense with heavy artillery.

The 24-year-old Mexican, in his first world title opportunity, starts as favourite, likely built on his previous appearances in the UK when he dismantled and destroyed Josh Warrington in 2021.

But Leeds’ former two-time world champion is easily the biggest scalp on 25-2-1 Lara’s record and this world title opportunity has come not just on merit but because Wood requested it.

“I want to prove I’m the best featherweight in the world and I can’t do that taking easy fights,” Wood says. “Lara is a dangerous fighter. But I needed that. It brings out the best in me.”

Wood (26-2) thrives on being the underdog. He was odds against back two years ago when he took the title away from red-hot Can Xu of China. And last year, in his first defence, he delivered a KO of the Year contender over much-fancied Michael Conlan.

That finish, arriving in the final moments of the certified 2022 Fight of the Year, is the stuff legacies are built upon. To hand pick an easier opponent would have been typical for boxing. But Wood is gallantly aiming to prove he’s no typical champion.

As well as punch power, Wood can box. He’s intelligent and patient, experienced now and has forged a formidable relationship with coach Ben Davison. They have a plan.

The real jeopardy is in the early rounds. Lara starts fast and is relentless.

The Mexican likes to throw a basic but powerful straight one-two. He also favours a long left hook to body and, from range, he throws a surprisingly solid right uppercut driven under the guard.

But he does have a habit of leaving his chin exposed when he unloads in bursts as he slashes in hooks from his hips. But the opportunity is risky: to throw when he throws.

Wood must establish his jab early on, keeping Lara at range with plenty of movement. His natural style is to stand and trade, but to do so early on is likely a mistake.

Warrington stood and traded with Lara from the bell and discovered to his detriment the Mexican has a great chin. But Josh also never went to the body enough. Wood has to put out the fire in his tank by flooding the basement.

Warrington is a world class fighter. But Lara had no respect for his power and just run him over. Josh couldn’t force him onto the back foot. Every time he landed, Lara came back from something of his own.

With almost identical pro records, Lara is likely to be a little less gung-ho against a fellow puncher like Wood. But the Mexican knows British officials can’t be trusted to deliver honest cards and so I expect him to press for a quick knockout.

That eagerness to get the fight finished should play into Wood’s hands and, as this fight progresses, I can see the South American growing increasingly ragged as sharp-shooting Wood runs away with the scorecards.

TIP: Wood on Points