Leeds world featherweight champion Josh Warrington eyes belt rivals after February IBF title defence

IF JOSH Warrington successfully defends his IBF featherweight title against Mauricio Lara next month, he doesn’t care who he faces next - as long as it is another featherweight champion.
Josh Warrington out-punching Sofiane Takoucht at Leeds Arena in October 2019. Picture: Steve Riding.Josh Warrington out-punching Sofiane Takoucht at Leeds Arena in October 2019. Picture: Steve Riding.
Josh Warrington out-punching Sofiane Takoucht at Leeds Arena in October 2019. Picture: Steve Riding.

The Leeds-born boxer has been left frustrated and publicly expressed his anger last week after Chinese fighter Can Xu backed out of a unification bout between the pair.

Warrington has been sitting on the sidelines since October 2019 after he beat Frenchman Sofiance Takoucht in dominant fashion, scoring a second-round knockout at the Leeds Arena.

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His fight against Lara on February 13 will take place behind closed doors, in his first piece of action for 15 months.

Warrington had been holding out to face Xu for the WBA regular belt while putting his IBF title on the line.

However, Xu’s camp, according to Warrington, threw up a number of obstacles which prevented the fight from happening with the bout unlikely to take place at any point in the future.

There are other options out there for the Leeds Warrior if he sees off the challenge from Lara, with WBC champion Gary Russell Junior or WBO belt holder Emanuel Navarrete possible opponents.

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“As long as it’s a big name and a big fight and there’s another belt on the line then I’m not bothered,” said Warrington.

WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr could be an opponent for Josh Warrington later in the year. Picture: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images.WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr could be an opponent for Josh Warrington later in the year. Picture: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images.
WBC featherweight world champion Gary Russell Jr could be an opponent for Josh Warrington later in the year. Picture: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images.

“It could be any one of them.

“I want to test myself against those guys. I don’t want to get to the end of my career and think ‘what if?’.

“That’s where sportspeople struggle mentally. I want to be getting to the end of my career and thinking ‘I tried my best’. I’m not saying I can beat these guys. I believe I can beat them but it’s not written. If I get knocked out by Gary Russell Jr then so be it.”

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, has previously expressed hopes that sporting stadiums will see regular crowds again by the autumn. The Government has also publicly stated their goal of offering every adult a vaccine by September but Warrington still feels people might be put off attending big events this year.

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He was crowned IBF champion in front of a packed-out Elland Road with a stunning win over Lee Selby in 2018 but does not think there will be similar scenes if he secures a unification bout for later this year.

“We might get to fight outdoors again,” he said. “But could I see it happening this year, like it should have done? Probably not. Even just the way life has changed now, I think some people are still going to be put off by it. People aren’t going to want to cuddle and be getting up with each other (saying) ‘What a performance!’. We’re not going to be in that kind of normal any more.”

Warrington had hoped to already be a unified champion by 2021 but, like many sporting stars, saw his ambitions put on hold by the Covid-19 outbreak.

“I thought I’d be unified champion and potentially may have had two fights in 2020, more than enough money to retire on by 30,” he added.

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“I’d have achieved every thing - and more than - I ever dreamed of by 30.

“But it’s one of those where I’ve had to refocus myself and refocus my mind and just start again from scratch. So 2021 is a blank canvas and we just go from here.”

Next month will be Lara’s first title fight with the Mexican’s record standing at 21 wins from 23 fights, losing the other two. He has won by knockout in two thirds of his victories and this will be his first bout beyond South America.

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