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Leigh Wood calls for ‘global organisation’ to control boxing bans following Mauricio Lara failed drugs test
Leigh Wood believes boxing should have one ‘global organisation’ following Mauricio Lara’s two-year ban. Lara was slapped with the ban two years after he lost the WBA featherweight title to Wood in Manchester in March 2023. Wood outpointed 27-year-old Lara two years ago in May 2023Matchroom Boxing Lara had stole the WBA featherweight belt off Wood 15 months priorGetty The Mexican was banned for two years for an anti-doping violation, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) announced this month. He tested positive for the banned substance Betamethasone, which is used to treat inflammation caused by skin conditions. Lara claimed the positive test came from a shoulder injection in the build-up to his fight with Wood, but UKAD said he failed to explain how Betamethasone entered his system. Wood joined Jim White and Sim Jordan on talkSPORT on Thursday, when he revealed he only heard about the failed test ‘a few days ago’. “I don’t think it was intent, trying to get an intentional advantage, but I guess we’ll never know,” the 36-year-old said. “It’s hard to speculate, but my opinion is, I don’t think [Lara was] trying to get an intentional advantage.” Wood then called for one organisation to look after bans in the future. “I think there needs to be a global organisation that can control the bans,” he added. “In England, in the UK, if you get banned, you can’t fight anywhere. That’s it, you’re screwed basically. That should be a global thing. “Like in America, you get banned in one state, you can fight in another state. “If you can’t get a license in one state, for whatever reason, you get a license in another state, it’s like the Wild West, isn’t it? Judges scored Wood’s fight with Lara 118-109, 116-111 and 118-109 in the Brits favourDan Thompson/Matchroom “The UK is probably one of the strictest, but they can’t oversee the whole world.” Lara has had three fights since he was defeated by Wood, drawing with Daniel Lugo before claiming wins over Pedro Alejandro Delgado and Edwing Davila. All three bouts took place in Mexico, a country where Lara can continue to box in, as well as America, because he received a UK ban. Wood has fought just once in the squared circle since his victory over Lara, defeating Josh Warrington with a stunning knockout to retain his WBA belt in Sheffield. This led fans to believe that Wood was serving a ‘silent ban’ due to his inactivity ahead of the Nottingham native’s return to the ring in May against Northern Ireland’s Anthony Cacace. However, the Wood hit back at those fans as he told talkSPORT what a fighter has to experience to prevent a drug testing ban. Wood defends his belt against Cacace in two months time in NottinghamGetty He said: “What I’ve been through in the last year, it’s been hard, but I’m the cleanest athlete you’ll ever meet… “I have to give a place where I’m sleeping every night, I have to give an hour window to be tested every day. “And they have to know where I’m training. They have to know everything about my whole week. And if I miss one test, that’s a strike. “You get three strikes one year, you’re banned. So I’m not missing a test in the last year. “I’ve been on it for probably a year and a half. I’ve had multiple tests, random tests. I got tested twice recently.” Wood later revealed how he is now part of a voluntary anti-doping organisation ahead of his next fight with Cacace on May 10. Follow talkBOXING on social media talkBOXING is now on Twitter and Facebook. Follow us on social media for big breaking boxing news, exclusive interviews and the best bits from our talkBOXING YouTube show. Like our Facebook page HERE Follow us on Twitter HERE Sign up for our WhatsApp channel HERE
Leigh Wood believes boxing should have one ‘global organisation’ following Mauricio Lara’s two-year ban.
Lara was slapped with the ban two years after he lost the WBA featherweight title to Wood in Manchester in March 2023.
The Mexican was banned for two years for an anti-doping violation, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) announced this month.
He tested positive for the banned substance Betamethasone, which is used to treat inflammation caused by skin conditions.
Lara claimed the positive test came from a shoulder injection in the build-up to his fight with Wood, but UKAD said he failed to explain how Betamethasone entered his system.
Wood joined Jim White and Sim Jordan on talkSPORT on Thursday, when he revealed he only heard about the failed test ‘a few days ago’.
“I don’t think it was intent, trying to get an intentional advantage, but I guess we’ll never know,” the 36-year-old said.
“It’s hard to speculate, but my opinion is, I don’t think [Lara was] trying to get an intentional advantage.”
Wood then called for one organisation to look after bans in the future.
“I think there needs to be a global organisation that can control the bans,” he added.
“In England, in the UK, if you get banned, you can’t fight anywhere. That’s it, you’re screwed basically. That should be a global thing.
“Like in America, you get banned in one state, you can fight in another state.
“If you can’t get a license in one state, for whatever reason, you get a license in another state, it’s like the Wild West, isn’t it?
“The UK is probably one of the strictest, but they can’t oversee the whole world.”
Lara has had three fights since he was defeated by Wood, drawing with Daniel Lugo before claiming wins over Pedro Alejandro Delgado and Edwing Davila.
All three bouts took place in Mexico, a country where Lara can continue to box in, as well as America, because he received a UK ban.
Wood has fought just once in the squared circle since his victory over Lara, defeating Josh Warrington with a stunning knockout to retain his WBA belt in Sheffield.
This led fans to believe that Wood was serving a ‘silent ban’ due to his inactivity ahead of the Nottingham native’s return to the ring in May against Northern Ireland’s Anthony Cacace.
However, the Wood hit back at those fans as he told talkSPORT what a fighter has to experience to prevent a drug testing ban.
He said: “What I’ve been through in the last year, it’s been hard, but I’m the cleanest athlete you’ll ever meet…
“I have to give a place where I’m sleeping every night, I have to give an hour window to be tested every day.
“And they have to know where I’m training. They have to know everything about my whole week. And if I miss one test, that’s a strike.
“You get three strikes one year, you’re banned. So I’m not missing a test in the last year.
“I’ve been on it for probably a year and a half. I’ve had multiple tests, random tests. I got tested twice recently.”
Wood later revealed how he is now part of a voluntary anti-doping organisation ahead of his next fight with Cacace on May 10.
