Josh Warrington Stops Kiko Martinez in Rematch
Josh “Leeds Warrior” Warrington (31-1-1, 8KOs) is champion once again after winning the rematch against Kiko “La Sensacion” Martinez (43-11-2, 30KOs) in a thrilling war. Martinez had to wait six years before wrapping another title around his waist since losing to Carl Frampton back in 2014. The elder statesman champion’s resume reads like a Who’s Who list of names in boxing.
Josh Warrington was at a crossroads after dominating the division. He took the IBF title away from Lee Selby in 2018. Then he successfully turned away formidable challengers like then-undefeated Kid Galahad and former two-division champion Carl Frampton.
However, his mental state was in question after two fights with tough Mexican fighter Mauricio Lara where he went 0-1-1. The Leeds Warrior suffered the worst type of defeat for the first time after tasting the canvas a few times before finally being stopped in the ninth round.
WHAT A PACE!
Fighting in front of the hometown crowd, Warrington fought inspired right out the gate. He attacked the Martinez throwing hard left hooks and right hands to the body.
In round one, the Leeds Warrior landed a beautiful counter that dropped the Spanish champion to the canvas. Martinez would beat the count only to receive a barrage of punches against the ropes, narrowly surviving the round.
There was a cut on the left eye of Martinez that should have been ruled a result of a headbutt. As the fight continued, Warrington fought like a supercharged spark plug, pinning the champion against the ropes and unloading thudding left hooks and uppercuts to the belly of Martinez.
La Sensacion tried to regroup by coming forward, looking to land the homerun right-hand counter. However, he kept getting pinned against the ropes and would land the occasional overhand right.
Warrington shifted levels by using his footwork and boxing skills, landing the jab followed-up with the straight right hand. Then he would force the champion against the ropes and begin to unload with hard body shots.
CHAMPION ONCE AGAIN
Martinez like a true old warrior kept fighting and fought hard landing a right hand that caused Warrington to hold. However, Warrington after the break went on the attack landing blistering jab, right hand, and uppercut combinations.
In round seven, Warrington was boxing beautifully. He targeted the bloody eye of Martinez, landing the overhand right and uppercut. Then he got hit by a hard right hand and immediately clinched.
Warrington wasted little time after that clinch and attacked like a shark smelling blood. He landed a left and right hook combination that sent the champion up against the ropes.
It was the beginning of the end as Warrington threw an onslaught of unanswered punches, causing the referee to jump in and stop the fight. The hometown crowd went into a frenzy as their hometown hero was champion again.
Warrington fought the fight of his life as his career, in the eyes of the boxing community, was on the line, and he seized the moment.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
By: Garrisson Bland
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