Josh Warrington regained his IBF featherweight crown with a stunning performance to beat Kiko Martinez at the First Direct Arena in his home city of Leeds on Saturday night. It was a masterclass from Warrington, who produced an explosive performance in an electric atmosphere to regain the belt he vacated at the start of 2021.
The Leeds Warrior was bouncing back from a difficult 2021 and flew out of the blocks, causing huge damage to his opponent and managing to cut both eyes of the Spaniard which raised concerns of the doctors. However, it was a professional showing from Martinez who rallied back into the fight and looked dangerous coming back into the fight.
While it looked as though Martinez was capable of landing a hammer blow at any stage, the emotion of the crowd spurred the Leeds man forward as he landed a seventh round barrage to claim the IBF Featherweight championship of the world. Next up for the 32-year-old could be a unification fight with Leigh Wood which would be a tantalising prospect for British boxing fans.
READ MORE: Warrington vs Martinez fight night LIVE updates
Warrington launched a huge volley of punches in the first round, pinning his opponent against the ropes early on with Martinez unable to hit back. The fight got drawn out to the centre of the ring once more before Warrington launched an other sustained attack badly cutting the Spaniard before knocking him to the ground.
Martinez beat the count and threw some questionable blows to the anger of the home crowd, including one after the bell to raise tensions even further after a thrilling opening round. The reigning champion looked to hold firm and came out the blocks strongly in round two before Warrington seized control once again.
The blood was creeping into Martinez's field of vision but continued to stay strong in the face of an energetic start from Warrington who wanted to get the fight finished early. The reigning champion was still able to land some heavy blows but could not match the energy of Warrington after a thrilling start to the fight.
It was a welcome bell at the end of round two for Martinez, who will have been extremely relieved to hear the bell once more. Martinez looked to regain some control at the start of the third round. As the fight moved into the fourth round, Martinez looked to have steadied the ship and was able to capitalise on the exertions of Warrington in the opening rounds.
Continued bleeding to both eyes of Martinez caused particular concern at the end of round four, with the doctor looking at the injury but the fight continued. Martinez was able to absorb the single, more targeted blows of Warrington in contrast to the sustained barrages of the early rounds.
At the start of round six it looked as though the fight could be brought to a premature end as referee called for the doctor to take a look at the injury to Martinez, but the crowd's relief it was just a patching up that was required. The sixth round continued with the 36-year-old able to land blows while Warrington countered effectively.
Round seven started with both fighters teasing punches out of each other. However, it was all to end quickly as the 32-year-old a barrage akin to what he produced in the early rounds to force a stoppage with blood covering the face of Martinez
