Mauricio Lara confident of ‘clear victory’ over Leeds Warrior Josh Warrington

Warrington vacated his IBF featherweight title, after the fight with Lara had been agreed, in order to pursue a contest with another top-ranked featherweight. If the Leeds Warrior can navigate his bout with Lara this weekend, he will be in a position to fight for the much-coveted Ring Magazine belt.

Ring Magazine championships are the most craved in boxing.

With numerous champions in each weight division, the wearer of the Ring belt is undoubtedly recognised as the best in the world.

Keeping hold of his IBF title would have held Warrington back from fighting for the Ring belt, hence his decision to vacate.

A loss against Lara this weekend would also scupper his chances of a big-name fight and the 22-year-old Mexican is in an upbeat mood ahead of the biggest challenge of his career.

“When I heard it was a world title fight, I was excited. I was feeling pretty motivated,” said Lara.

“When the news came that it was no longer going to be a world title fight, it didn’t change things.

“We still came here preparing to do our job and that is what we are going to do. I have prepared to come and win. I have prepared really hard for this and to go to war in the ring.”

Lara has lost just two of his 24 fights but will enter unfamiliar territory after fighting outside of his home nation on just one previous occasion.

He made his professional debut at aged 17 and he feels he has enough experience to cause an upset when he steps into the ring at the Wembley Arena.

“It is normal in Mexico for fighters to begin their careers very, very young,” he continued.

“That has been the case for me and I am going to use that to my advantage in this fight.

“Josh Warrington is seen as the number one in Mexico and he is seen that way for a reason.

“But people also believe in me and they know I am going to be there, and that I am going to war. It is all about how I prepare for the fight, not only in the last few months but also over the last few years.”

Lara is not concerned by losing a close call if the fight goes the distance.

He has won by knockout in 14 of his 21 victories and is confident he can secure a “clear victory” against Warrington – who has not lost in 30 professional fights. Lara added: “I am not concerned by the decisions of the judges and whether it does go to points.

“We have come prepared, a knockout would be ideal but I am going to make sure it is a clear victory so I don’t have to depend on the judges.

“Either way, I think they will do their job properly.”

The undercard of Warrington’s meeting with Lara will feature an all-Leeds bout as Hopey Price takes on Zahid Hussain in the second fight of the night. Warrington’s training partner, Reece Mould, will also be in action as he faces Leigh Wood for the British featherweight title.

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