Josh Warrington Looks to Silence Critics by Beating Luis Alberto Lopez
On December 10, Josh “The Leeds Warrior” Warrington (31-1-1, 8 KOs) makes the first defense of his title of his second reign as the IBF featherweight champion against mandatory challenger Luis Alberto Lopez (26-2, 15 KOs). They will battle it out in the champion’s hometown of Leeds, England.
After a disastrous 2021 that saw Warrington suffer his first professional defeat, a surprising ninth-round beatdown to Mauricio Lara in February of that year, the pride of Leeds has rebounded in 2022. In March 2022, Warrington stopped Kiko Martinez in seven to become a two-time IBF 126-pound champ.
Next is Lopez, a tough, aggressive, hardened veteran from Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. The 29-year-old aspires to do what his countryman Lara did and take Warrington out.
BETTER THAN EVER?
The Brit is hellbent on not letting that happen. During an interview with Matchroom Boxing, the 32-year-old has a renewed enthusiasm and feels in top form.
“I feel the strongest I’ve ever have done in my career. I sit down on my punches a lot more. The power has always been there. I’ve never really focused on bringing it, but now I am.”
A MESSAGE FOR THE CRITICS
The mission for Warrington is not just to retain the title; it’s also about shutting up the critics. Feeling that observers continue to judge him for the defeat against Lara, the two-time champ thinks he’s not being fully respected.
“People fucking doubting me. I wasn’t meant to win a British title. Pillow-punching, feather-fisted, Leeds scum, ticket-selling fucking no bed. He’s still here and going strong. I’m going to keep on going in the featherweight division and ride off into the sunset.”
To say that Warrington is carrying a chip on his shoulder is an understatement. He plans to take that fuel and rage out on Lopez in front of his adoring fans of Leeds.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
