Josh Warrington Becomes Two-Time Champion, Reclaiming IBF World Featherweight Title

Many fans are saying Josh Warrington turned his career around.

Warrington (31-1-1, 7 KOs) sent Kiko Martinez to the mat in the first round and forced a stoppage in the seventh round Saturday night, forcefully reclaiming his IBF world featherweight title. With the win, Warrington becomes a two-time world champion.

“It wasn’t just for me or family, but for all my fans who have supported me,” Warrington said.

“I know I’m not [Matchroom promoter] Eddie Hearn’s favourite cup of tea — Yorkshire tea — but when I’m on it there’s nothing like it in front of these fans.”

In the first round, Warrington didn’t pull any punches as he threw a number of combinations to Martinez’s body and head. Though not all of them landed, a necessary amount landed and was enough to send him to the floor and open a gash above his eye.

Martinez didn’t seem to waver in the following rounds as he tried to pounce back at his opponent. Warrington focused on stiff jabs and outside shots.

Martinez would occasionally find his way inside, but Warrington would block him out with combinations and hard body shots.

In the seventh round, Martinez connected with a rough blow that affected Warrington and forced him to cling to his opponent. But Warrington retaliated and pressed Martinez to the ropes with haywire shots that were enough for the referee to call off the fight.

Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed after the fight that Warrington suffered a clean break of his jaw.

The win opened Warrington’s career once more after his technical decision to Mauricio Lara in February 2021, which ended due to an accidental head clash.