His full attention may be on Kiko Martinez this weekend, but the prospect of playing Leigh Wood in Nottingham is a tantalizing prospect for Josh Warrington.
After inflicting one of the biggest setbacks of 2021 by defeating Kid Galahad, the 36-year-old made his first IBF featherweight title defense Saturday night in a rematch against Josh Warrington. Just like five years ago, the Spaniard will enter the lions’ den at Leeds Arena and hope to draw 1-1 after losing to Warrington that night.
If his favorites go on to win, he could not only become a two-time featherweight champion, reclaiming the title he held for three years, but could also go on to face Wood.
The Nottingham boxer defended his WBA featherweight title in a spectacular bout with Michael Conlan this month. His promoter Eddie Hearn, who also works with Warrington, wants Wood’s next game to be at City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest Football Club.
“I want to kick-start the doors at the City Ground and bring the brutal Leeds fans to us who support me. I’d love to beat him in his backyard, that’s okay. Let’s focus on Saturday night and go from there,” Warrington said Andi Purewal of Boxing Social.
Warrington’s boxing future was in doubt following a punitive defeat at the hands of Mauricio Lara in February 2021. The title-less match, came after ‘The Leeds Warrior’ vacated the IBF belt in favor of a move into the big fights. more, signaling the first failure of his career. Warrington returned to face Mexico seven months later, but their rematch ended after Lara suffered a bad cut declaring the match a technical draw.
“I got to a point where I thought I was invincible and just performing is possible in this sport,” Warrington said.
With a rematch with Martinez coming up, Warrington believes he is at the top of his game and will qualify him to be world champion again.
“My stock has gone up since I’ve been with him. I’ve been with better fighters. I’m getting better and better and I feel like I’m at the peak of my career. I expect a tough fight but I am confident I will win.”
To view the full interview, click this.
