Josh Warrington insists he has got the hunger back as he prepares for his world featherweight title showdown against Kiko Martinez on Saturday night.
Warrington vacated his IBF title 14 months ago as a mega-fight against another world champion looked likely, but what on paper appear to be somewhat of a tick-over fight against Mauricio Lara ended in disaster for the British fighter as he suffered the first professional defeat of his career.
An attempt to avenge the ninth-round stoppage was thwarted by an accidental clash of heads early into last September’s rematch as a technical draw was declared.
But as he seeks to draw a line under a disastrous 2021 by reclaiming his old crown in his home city of Leeds, Warrington believes he has the mentality back that saw him become world champion.
“At the back end of 2019 I was loving the sport, I was top of the world,” he told PA.
“But I had 15 months out then just took a little tick-over fight and ended up getting knocked out.
“The rematch, there was rehab, questions about whether I was still there and had I lost it? The camp was enough to beat Lara but it wasn’t the best camp. What happened happened in the fight.
“But as I got back in the gym and started camp, I had the bit between my teeth like I had of old, like I was on the way up. I’m loving it and I can’t wait for fight night.
“Some boxing experts are saying ‘he’s seen better days’, I thrive off that and I want to show them wrong. Physically I’m in really good condition and mentally confidence is through the roof.”
Warrington, who has made no secret of wanting world title unification contests and an away day for his fans in America, added: “I lost the position of power when I got beaten by Lara. Even if I’d have beaten Lara in the rematch, he didn’t have a belt.
“It’s a bit like you’re on the B-side, you’re on the bench waiting for opportunities to arise or you can keep climbing ladders and fighting final eliminators.
“But an opportunity came up, Kiko wanted to fight me and if I win, all of a sudden I can be back on top, all of a sudden I can be in the driving seat, all of a sudden I can be dictating. It’s massive.”
