That’s the opinion of Eddie Hearn, Lara’s promoter, who has watched the Mexican’s incredible rise from unknown contender to world champion with early finishes against both Josh Warrington and Wood. 

With the featherweight division currently stacked with a number of leading fighters such as Lara, Wood, Warrington, Michael Conlan, and Luis Lopez, Lara won’t have to look far for his next assignment.  

With Wood entitled to a rematch, a fight certain to do good business, Hearn has placed Lara at the top of the 126lbs pile as the new WBA champion ponders his future.

“Mauricio Lara is a 24-year-old Mexican world champion who has come over to the UK and beaten Josh Warrington in [London] and also beaten Leigh Wood in Nottingham,” said Hearn when speaking to Boxing Scene.

“He’s the number one featherweight in the world. It’s an unbelievable story and he’s so exciting to watch, but you’re gonna see him again, and you’re gonna see him in the summer.”