Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.
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Josh Warrington expected to be fighting in a title-unification bout early this year. Instead, the now-featherweight contender must get past Mexican Mauricio Lara before he can even think about returning to the world championship scene.
Warrington (30-0, 7 KOs) had been set to put his IBF title up against the WBA belt of Can Xu on Feb. 13 at Wembley Arena in London only for that matchup to fall through. Then, when the IBF refused to sanction the re-arranged date of April 24, the Leeds fighter opted to hand the title back to the governing body.
His new opponent is a relative unknown 22-year-old who is ranked No. 8 by the IBF. The native of Mexico City has never fought outside Latin America.
Warrington last fought in October 2019, when he stopped Sofiane Takoucht in two rounds in his final title defense.
“It’s a massive moment for me, but 15 months is a very long time for any athlete to be out of action,” Warrington said at the pre-fight press conference. “My mugshot’s all over this room and all over the hotel. There’s a lot of pressure on me but I’ve matured.
“I’ve got a potential banana skin in front of me in Mauricio Lara but I was already prepared for war. I feel that mark on the top of my head. This man here has no pressure, I’m a big fan of Mexican boxers because they wear their hearts on their sleeves.
“But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t want to fight any tin cans. I have to strike while the iron’s hot. I can’t afford to be spending the next two years fighting to get back to where I am now.
“It’s all glamour to say I’m the number one in the world at this weight, but it’s got to be proven in the ring as well. I’ve beaten the big names but I’m still not satisfied, I’m still not full in the belly.
“I’ve come through the long, long road from the early days. I don’t want to bore everyone to death with the story. It’s hard work but I’ve taken each stage as it has come.
“I’m 10 times the fighter I was when I won the British title, but it’s only because of tough fights like this. I want no soft touches. Every fight going forward makes my legacy.”
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