Warrington targets US bout after becoming two-time world champion

By Sports Desk March 26, 2022

Josh Warrington is open to fighting in the United States in his next bout after knocking out Kiko Martinez to become a two-time IBF featherweight champion.

Martinez survived a first-round knockdown in Saturday's clash, but came under a barrage of punches in the seventh round, forcing the referee to stop the contest.

Warrington, feeding off a partisan home crowd at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, reclaimed the same IBF crown he lost 14 months ago.

Now back at the top of his weight division after his first victory since October 2019, Warrington has a number of potential opponents in the offing.

An all-British showdown with Leigh Wood has been mooted, while unification fights with WBC title-holder Mark Magsayo or WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete are other options.

Warrington will take time to weigh up his decision, but fighting Stateside later this year is something the 31-year-old is strongly considering. 

"In an ideal world I'd love to go to the States," he said in his post-fight interview. "But Leigh Wood's just become champion.

"I'd like an away day. I love it here [in Leeds]. We've been talking about going to the States for so long. There's options. 

"We can go States, go the City Ground [to fight Wood in Nottingham]. I'm sure these fans will travel with me. I'll sit down with Eddie Hearn and we'll see."

Promoter Hearn only fuelled the fire regarding a possible Stateside fight for Warrington next up.

"Josh has long wanted a trip to America and it would be Ricky Hatton-esque if we could do it," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "There's mandatory as well and loads of politics.

"It looked like his career might be over, but he came back and regained the belt. He's back in control with big nights ahead."

Warrington has now headlined the First Direct Arena 11 times and, despite having the potential to sell out bigger venues, he is more than happy to stay 'home' for his next fight.

"We might not do the same numbers as the big boys – like Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury – but I'd rather have an arena full of these lot than a 100,000 tourists any day," he said.

"There is no place like this in the world, never mind the country. When I'm on it and these supporters turn out, there's nothing like it in the world."

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