Kiko Martinez (left) and Josh Warrington face each other on Saturday
(PA Wire)
Follow all the action as Josh Warrington aims to regain the IBF feathweight world title when he takes on Kiko Martinez in Leeds tonight.
Warrington defeated Spanish veteran Martinez when the pair first met in 2017, however, it was a close fight on the scorecards with one judge ruling the bout a draw. Warrington went on to win the IBF belt against Lee Selby and followed that night up with a career-defining win over Carl Frampton. However, the Leeds favourite endured a dramatic fall from grace last year when he was stunned by then-unknown Mexican contender Mauricio Lara. The much-anticipated rematch between the pair was cut short after a clash of heads caused the bout to be ruled a no contest after just two rounds.
Martinez appeared to be in the twilight of his career, but the 36-year-old rolled back the years with a momentous one-punch knockout against Kid Galahad to claim the same IBF belt Warrington once held. Defeat for either fighter tonight could signal the end of their career while the winner could be in line for a unification bout against Leigh Wood, who stunned Michael Conlan last month. Follow all the action live below:
Smith defeat Moylette on undercard
Dalton Smith is considered one of the best prospects in British boxing. He was made to work hard for his stoppage against Ray Moylette but he lands a fantastic left hook in the tenth and final round that drops the Irishman. Moylette beats the count but is promptly dropped again and the towel comes in.
Tom Kershaw26 March 2022 20:32
Warrington suffers maiden loss against Lara
Of course, Warrington’s career was derailed by a shock defeat of his own when he was stopped in comprehensive fashion by Mauricio Lara last year. It was the first defeat of his career and there proved to be no retribution when the pair met for a rematch as a clash of heads caused the bout to be stopped early.
Tom Kershaw26 March 2022 20:28
Martinez stuns Galahad to win world title
It’s fair to say Kiko Martinez’s victory over Kid Galahad last year to win the world title was an almighty upset.
Tom Kershaw26 March 2022 20:22
Warrington vies for redemption after year of heartbreak
Here is Steve Bunce’s preview of what should be another memorable chapter in Josh Warrington’s career in front of a raucous home crowd in Leeds.
Tom Kershaw26 March 2022 20:15
Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage as Josh Warrington challenges Kiko Martinez for the IBF featherweight title in what is sure to be a rowdy atmosphere in Leeds.
It is the second time the pair will have fought, with Warrington emerging victorious on points in a close encounter in 2017, but it is Martinez who holds the title after a stunning one-punch knockout upset against Kid Galahad last year.
Warrington suffered the first defeat of his career against Mauricio Lara last year and the pair’s rematch was then cut short due to an early clash of heads and the Leeds favourite admits another loss tonight could spell the end of his career.
Tom Kershaw26 March 2022 20:03
