JOST WARRINGTON is in the ring to fight Kiko Martinez and grab his IBF featherweight world title.
Warrington’s last fight ended in a technical draw after a clash of heads with Mauricio Lara in round two, with the Mexican unable to continue.
The Leeds born fighter last faced Martinez back in 2017 defeating the Spanish fighter on points to retain his featherweight title.
- Ring walk time: 10pm UK estimated
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Warrington vs Martinez undercard and main event
- Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington – IBF world featherweight title
- Maxi Hughes vs Ryan Walsh – IBO world lightweight title
- Maria Cecilia Roman vs Ebanie Bridges; IBF women’s world bantamweight title
- Dalton Smith vs Ray Moylette – Super lightweight
- Calum French vs Angelo Turco Super lightweight
- Mali Wright vs Luis Palmer – light heavyweight
- Cory O’Regan vs Jakub Laskowski – Super lightweight
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Martinez vs Warrington
Round 3 – Martinez looking for the right hand over the top of Warrington’s guard.
Big right hands landing for Warrington, with Martinez cut above his left eye.
It’s a nasty cut and only a matter of time until the ref or ringside doctor take a look at it. Pace has slowed down heading into round four.
Credit: PA Martinez vs Warrington
Round 2 – Martinez landed a punch on the bell before round two and is hurt in the opening stages here.
Warrington lets an explosive combination go as Martinez tries to cover up – it’s one-way traffic.
The challenger having the better of the exchanges on the inside. Massive start for Warrington.
Credit: Reuters Martinez vs Warrington
Round 1 – Warrington lands a three punch combination early on.
Warrington lands another combo and Martinez is backed to ropes…
Martinez floored with a right hook! Warrington lands a perfect sweeping right hook which knocks down the champ.
Martinez vs Warrington
Round 1 – We are underway and the atmosphere is electric in Leeds.
So much on the line for both men – mostly for Warrington who cannot afford another defeat.
But can Martinez upset the British applecart yet again?
Martinez vs Warrington
Both the British and Spanish national anthems have been played – and we’re now just moments away.
Will it be repeat or revenge?
Promoter Eddie Hearn has already warned defeat for either man could spell the end. It’s all to play for.
Martinez vs Warrington
And now it’s champion Kiko Martinez’s turn to make his way.
It was less than five years ago he was beaten by Warrington in this very arena.
Who would have thought he’d be back and defending the world title.
Martinez vs Warrington
Here comes former IBF featherweight world champion Josh Warrington.
He’s walked into the ring by Leeds United star Luke Ayling.
This is quite possibly the biggest fight in Warrington’s career.
Warr path
Josh Warrington got over his Maurico Lara car crash with a dream motorbike… after his missus finally gave him the green light.
The 31-year-old Leeds hero suffered a violent loss to the Mexico banger in February 2021, just a few weeks after relinquishing his IBF featherweight title in his effort to land other titles.
The father-of-two hit rock bottom after the punishing KO but wife Natasha helped lift him out of his funk with the nod for his dream two-wheeled machine.
Ahead of tonight’s shot at his old belt against Kiko Martinez at his local arena, Warrington revealed: “When I became world champion, I went to a motorbike garage and I came home with a brochure and the missus just burst into tears. She said ‘you can’t, you’ve just become a dad’.
“Then after the first Lara fight, I was sulking about and my dad was having a mid-life crisis and had just bought a scooter, so I thought I’d get a bike.
“The missus gave me the blessing and so I went and got one. I think she did it because I was so f*g miserable!
“She said you’re going to do it at some time, so do it, but just be careful.”
Roman vs Bridges
Bridges gets the decision by unanimous decision!
The England based-Australian wins the IBF title in front of her adopted Leeds fan base.
That will put everyone in the mood ahead of Josh Warrington’s main-event fight.
Credit: PA
Roman vs Bridges – R4
Roman lands her best right hand of the night so far but Bridges doesn’t wobble.
An uppercut from the busty blonde then scores, though,
It’s back and forth action right up to the bell.
Both girls are digging in and throwing.
Credit: Reuters Roman vs Bridges – R2
Roman is not offering much, in a scrappy second round Bridges probably edges it again just through effort and enthusiasm.
Not much skill on show but Bridges is slashing away at her opponent and trying to land something flush.
Roman just tucking up and surviving a lot of this early pressure.
Roman vs Bridges – R1
Veteran Roman gets booed into the ring by the Leeds crowd that has adoptde Bridges as one of their own.
But it’s unlikely to offend the defending champion.
Bridges makes the busier start but most of her shots are caught on Roman’s high guard.
Roman plays it safe but in doing so probably gifts the Aussie babe the opening round and that could be crucial when they’re tallied up.
Credit: Reuters Cecila Roman vs Ebanie Bridges next
The Australian bombshell has another crack at a world title in just her ninth fight.
But Argentine Roman, 39, will be touch and far more experienced after 22 fights.
Bridges, 35, is trying to land the IBF bantamweight belt
Maxi Hughes wins via UD
The three ringside judges called it: 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110.
Pretty fair from the officials.
Hughes was just too good and Walsh was short of ideas.
Hughes vs Walsh – R12
Walsh might have snatched the final round just by being relentless while Hughes was cautious.
Walsh drops his hands and asks for a war but Hughes is too shrewd.
The bell goes and Hughes celebrates.
Expect the Doncaster man to get a unanimous decision shortly.
Hughes vs Walsh – R11
Walsh still not going hell-for-leather and Hughes is banking these rounds.
The Leeds crowd goes wild when Josh Warrington appears on the big screen.
They’ll do the same if Hughes gets this decision shortly.
Last round coming up.
Hughes vs Walsh – R10
Some really classy moments of boxing frm Hughes.
The Doncaster man bobs and weaves out of danger before crasking Walsh.
A clash of heads has opened another would in Walsh’s hearline.
Lots more grease smeared over the gash.
Hughes vs Walsh – R8
Walsh’s right eyebrow heavy with thick Vaseline now to stem the flow of a cut.
Hughes keeps his jab busy and lands a left hand.
Team Walsh cheer and clap a couple of their man’s landed jabs.
That was a tighter round that ended with Walsh throwing a right hook from miles out that Hughes ducked.
Hughes vs Walsh – R7
Hughes ands a precise one-two and trainer Sean O’Hagan cheers.
Josh Warrington’s Leeds supporters sing “stand up if you hate Man U”.
Another round to Hughes who is scoring cleverly and not getting dragged into a battle.
Walsh will now he needs to pull something out of the bag soon.
Hughes vs Walsh – R6
Hughes landing the better shots now but Walsh not wobbling or buckling yet.
Walsh, 35, has never been stopped in his three defeats and is from a tough Norfolk fighting family so won’t be afraid of some pain.
He seems happy to absorb a fair few for his chance to land one on Hughes.
A great Hughes jab does rock Walsh’s head back though. The Doncaster man is in a flow now.
Hughes vs Walsh – R5
Iron Ryan Walsh and Mai Hughes going right at it for Hughes’ IBO lightweight world title.
The two southpaws have been trading and Walsh is cut above his right eye.
Hughes has landed the heavier shots but is not known for his power.
Walsh will not stop harassing him and trying.
Credit: PA
Smith pleased as punch
Dalton Smith poses with his belt after beating Ray Moylette in Leeds.
Credit: PA Smith vs Moylette – R7
Smith has two points deducted for the low blow.
Moylette is back on his feet.
The fight restarts.
Smith needs to be careful.
Moylette down – R7
Controversy here.
Smith lands a massive low blow on Moylette and then a hook floors him.
The ref is not counting so the knockdown will not count.
Smith could be disqualified.
Moylette has five minutes to recover and is on his knees in the corner.
Smith vs Moylette – R6
Moylette being broken down here.
It will take a Leigh Wood-level comeback for the Irishman to avoid defeat now.
Smith is coasting but should try oto end this inside the distance.
Moylette’s corner might even consider saving him from his own bravery.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
