A resurgent Josh Warrington reclaimed the IBF featherweight title with
a dominant seventh round stoppage over Kiko Martinez and demanded
promoter Eddie Hearn seek a blockbuster fight in Las Vegas or New
York, a sojourn the favoured son of Leeds has craved for years. But
the collateral damage on a night of raucous support in Leeds was a
broken jaw sustained against the Spaniard, which may delay crossing
the seas until late this summer.
Having become a two-time world champion against Martinez, regaining
the belt which the Yorkshireman voluntarily relinquished in January
2021, Warrington was taken to hospital initially with a suspected
broken jaw and hand damage, confirmed yesterday by Hearn as a “clean
break” of the mandibula, but still the promoter is keen to take his
charge to the lights of Las Vegas.
“I can see 20,000 of Josh’s fans heading for Las Vegas,” said Hearn,
aware that Warrington’s fervent support would travel for the fighter
who has had twelve of his last fifteen fights in Leeds, and is a local
icon. “Maybe that’s not quite in the dimension of Ricky Hatton’s
30,000 for his big fights there against Floyd Mayweather and Manny
Pacquiao but it will make for a scene along The Strip.’
Potential opponents in unification bouts for the 31-year-old include
WBA champion Leo Santa Cruz, who indulged in two memorable wars with
Carl Frampton, or WBO king at 126lbs, Emanuel Navarrete. Both Mexicans
would provide intriguing challenges for Warrington, and enhance his
legacy.
Warrington had met Martinez at Leeds’ First Direct Arena five years
ago and defeated the veteran Spaniard on a majority decision yet in
the last two years had suffered a loss and a technical draw with
Mexican Mauricio Lara. But any doubts that Warrington was past his
best were quickly allayed as he set about Martinez brilliantly in the
first round, dropping his foe with a vicious assault. The defending
champion Martinez was warned by referee Marcus McDonnell for a late
punch after pulling the protagonists apart and gamely held on to the
end of that first stanza, in which Martinez was cut with a clash of
heads.
Warrington, one of the most followed boxers in the UK, was roared on
by delirious home support, and he duly responded, keeping up the
pressure against his obdurate opponent until an assault in the seventh
round – with more than twenty unanswered punches – as Martinez
crouched defensively on the ropes – saw referee McDonnell mercifully
step in to save the Spaniard from any further
punishment. Warrington was accused from some quarters for being
liberal with the use of his head in close quarters, but seen another
way, it simply showed his desire for the fray against a rival renowned
for his own toughness. In short, Warrington was dominant. “What a
night,” said Warrington. “First of all, the utmost respect for Kiko
Martinez and his team. He defines everything that is a true champion
in the sport. I wish him and his family all the very best.
“Now to you lot [the fans]! The arena has always been special but last
night was some atmosphere. The support for all the fighters was
immense. You make ten thousand sound like one hundred thousand. You’ve
been by my side every step of the way, through the ups and downs. We
continue to write history together. What are we saying, Vegas next?”
That project now lies in the hands of Hearn. Earlier in Leeds,
Australian Ebanie Bridges, who has made the UK her home training under
Mark Tibbs and has become a Leeds United fan, had claimed the women’s
IBF bantamweight title with a points victory over 10 hard fought
rounds against the Argentinian Maria Cecillia Roman.