It has been confirmed that Josh Warrington will meet Kiko Martinez on March 26 at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
Warrington beat Martinez by unanimous decision in Leeds in 2017 to win the IBF super-bantamweight world title.
Warrington’s world title opportunity is the perfect start to 2022 following the most difficult year of his career.
When the IBF declined to authorize a unification fight with Chinese star Can Xu, Warrington, the first man from Leeds to win a world championship, vacated the IBF belt he has held since May of 2018.
After more than a year out of the ring, the Leeds man was stopped by Mexican Mauricio Lara in a surprising upset.
In September, the rematch at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium came to a halt after two rounds owing to a head injury to Lara.
Warrington, who has won 30 of his 32 professional fights, is convinced he can become Leeds’ first two-time world champion, but at 31, he knows his next battle is a must-win. Warrington has previously defeated the Spaniard once.
He knocked off Sheffield’s Kid Galahad two months ago to win his second world title, and Martinez, 35, will be making his first defense in Leeds.
Josh Warrington Nationality
Josh Warrington is British
Where in Leeds is Josh Warrington from?
Josh Warrington is from Elland West Yorkshire
