BoxRec

Josh Warrington To Consider Retirement if He Can't Win Lara Rematch

Josh Warrington say he does not remember the punches that knocked him down against Mauricio Lara, but says that he felt clear-headed when he was allowed to continue in the fight.

The former IBF featherweight champion was knocked out by Lara, a little-known Mexican, in the ninth round at Wembley this month. He had been heavily knocked down in the fourth round, prompting criticism of Howard Foster, the referee, and Sean O’Hagan, Warrington’s father and trainer, for not stopping it earlier.

“I don’t remember getting put over. I remember the punches prior to getting put over but I don’t remember getting put over,” Warrington said.

“I remember in the fourth he buzzed me. I remember getting up, I remember walking to Howard and what I said. I said ‘I am fine to continue’. Then in around the seventh and eighth I thought I was doing all right. The eighth I probably lost, but if I got through the ninth I was really going to go for it. I had plenty left in the tank

“Round nine I got hit with a shot and I thought ‘f---’. I thought It was fight or flight, get on my bike or go with him and I decided to go with him. I don’t remember the shot that put me over. But I remember saying to Howard ‘let me get up’ and he said ‘it’s over Josh’.”

It was the moments at the end of the fourth round that caused controversy when Warrington was hurt and on unsteady legs as Lara went for the finish and landed some more hard shots.

“In the fourth, the last 20 seconds I was really trying to hold on and save my skin and he caught me with some more good shots,” Warrington said.

“I went back to the corner and the initial 20 seconds was a bit of a blur. Then my dad said ‘Are you f----- listening to me’.’

“I then said: ‘Dad, I’m listening’. I thought this was going to be a hard slog, but in the sixth and seventh I was completely back in there.”

Warrington has a rematch clause to fight Lara again and says he is certain that he wants that fight to happen, although it is unlikely to take place until the end of the summer.

“Eddie (Hearn) and Steve (Wood, his manager) have been talking August, September time, they want to have some crowd back,” Warrington said. “I’ve got a few injuries that need a bit or rest.

“Everyone wants me to have this down time. Because there is more than one person saying it, I’m listening. When I do get back I’m chomping at the bit.”

One person he has spoken to since his defeat was Anthony Joshua, who revealed that he was so upset after his loss to John Ruiz in 2019 that he cried.

“I wanted to know about his mindset, he's a deep guy and I'm a bit of a deep guy,” Warrington said. “It was like he was giving me a bit of a psychology session, you feel like you want to get back after it.

“He was telling me a story when he was in New York and after the fight him and his entourage went for a walk and this guy goes 'Hey Anthony, why the f--- did you get beat up by that fat Mexican' and his head went down.

“He went back to the apartment and stayed there for a few days, he said he cried, he ate ice cream, he sulked but once he came back he was ready to get back on the horse. I wanted to have my sulking time but it has not happened yet.”

But Warrington says that if he can’t beat Lara in a rematch, he is likely to retire.

“There is no point hanging about,” he said. “If I can’t beat this guy, I’m not mixing it with Gary Russell, no one is going to believe I’m going to mix it with him or Emanuel Navarrete.

‘What’s the point? Maybe I could step up to super-featherweight for a payday. I’m not prepared to do that because it’s a hard sport so if I can’t get through this guy, then it’s like: what are you going to do, Josh?

“I think that goes to show how confident I am of beating him in a rematch. I’ve been eating Ben and Jerry’s for the past week but I’d fight him tomorrow.”

I will be having a bet on the same result if the fight happens, can't see anything changing in a rematch

tony1234 wrote: ↑24 Feb 2021, 13:30 I will be having a bet on the same result if the fight happens, can't see anything changing in a rematch

I'd be betting on the same but quicker,he was saved in the 4th.

I admire fighters who go for rematches and like he says,if he can't beat Lara then he may as well give it up,he could go another route but wants revenge so good on him for that.

I can understand why people think he will blasted out again after the first fight. But I can't see him being reckless has he was in the first fight. He certainly won't stand and trade knowing whats coming and fully focused on lara. Cause if he loses theirs no can xu or Russell its over. The dates were virtually set for can xu b4 lara they overlooked him and came crashing back down to earth with a bang.

Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Warrington won the rematch, but has to completely change his tactics.

Is the Xunification not going ahead in 6 weeks?

Boxerbeetle wrote: ↑24 Feb 2021, 14:30 Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Warrington won the rematch, but has to completely change his tactics.

He doesn't have a plan B which has been proven in his last 2 fight's. He's done

He might be able to nick the fight on the backfoot but he will need some home cooking. Under no circumstances can he do the usual exchanging of punches he has been doing his career and getting away with. The only thing that I was really surprised about was that he wasn't starched sooner in his career.

TheLeprechaun wrote: ↑24 Feb 2021, 15:34 He might be able to nick the fight on the backfoot but he will need some home cooking. Under no circumstances can he do the usual exchanging of punches he has been doing his career and getting away with. The only thing that I was really surprised about was that he wasn't starched sooner in his career.

He fought very few punchers that's probably why.

I like Warrington , but he's met his bogey man ,, This guy will stop him earlier next time , Warringon runs and jabs thinking he's gonna box to victory , don't think so Lara's not got excellent feet , but he does have good feet , he'll cut him off and catch him on the end of one , moving backwards , then he''ll finish him ,,, Josh wants to go forward and fight , Lara will prove too tough and hit too hard again , just don't see any different result ,

and really Josh is the better boxer technichly ,, but when your opponent , hits harder , is tougher , throws punches hard from all angles , does'nt follow the text book , wants to kill you , and has feet and experience good enough to cut you off and close you down ,,, Then it comes down to what it really is a FIGHT , and in such cases , the tougher harder man with the big punch will win ,, , yet styles make fights and Lara will get cleaned up by Gary Russel

remember when aj was mentally ruined and his career was over, and that ruiz had his number and there was just no way he'd beat ruiz in the rematch

obvs a very dangeous fight he could lose again, but josh also has the tools to outbox him , and its not like he wasnt having success of his own. the other dudes eye was messed up and josh was winning rounds, it wouldnt take a massive adjustment for him to win

tony1234 wrote: ↑24 Feb 2021, 13:30 I will be having a bet on the same result if the fight happens, can't see anything changing in a rematch

I think it will change completely, not that anyone will have got better and worse, just warrington will respect lara and come in with a sensible game plan. Warrington had/has the skill just to outbox him for 12 i think. If he decides to go and trade again then he has lost the plot.

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑24 Feb 2021, 19:18 remember when aj was mentally ruined and his career was over, and that ruiz had his number and there was just no way he'd beat ruiz in the rematch

obvs a very dangeous fight he could lose again, but josh also has the tools to outbox him , and its not like he wasnt having success of his own. the other dudes eye was messed up and josh was winning rounds, it wouldnt take a massive adjustment for him to win

Josh definetly has the tools , is the better boxer ,just don't think he could get over this style and the physical and mental hardness Lara brings , i just can't see him hurting Lara but he will get hurt himself

Lara isn’t necessarily better than we thought, and Warrington isn’t as bad as he looked. He just boxed an unbelievably stupid fight, got tagged by a big puncher and couldn’t recover.

Who knows what the beating will take out of Warrington. But if he boxes smart and sticks to his game plan religiously, he could win the rematch. Few gave AJ a hope of beating Ruiz after the pasting he got first time around, so that taught me not to make knee jerk reactions.

One theory I do disagree with is that ‘Warrington needs the crowd’. That’s the one thing he doesn’t need IMO for the rematch as he needs to stay disciplined for 36 minutes and not trade. He’s more likely to do so with his army of support egging him on.

Lightsoot wrote: ↑25 Feb 2021, 04:13 Lara isn’t necessarily better than we thought, and Warrington isn’t as bad as he looked. He just boxed an unbelievably stupid fight, got tagged by a big puncher and couldn’t recover.

Who knows what the beating will take out of Warrington. But if he boxes smart and sticks to his game plan religiously, he could win the rematch. Few gave AJ a hope of beating Ruiz after the pasting he got first time around, so that taught me not to make knee jerk reactions.

One theory I do disagree with is that ‘Warrington needs the crowd’. That’s the one thing he doesn’t need IMO for the rematch as he needs to stay disciplined for 36 minutes and not trade. He’s more likely to do so with his army of support egging him on.

I think there was a clear path for AJ by just staying away from Ruiz and stinking it out. We didn't know if AJ could do that because he's robotic and chinny but if he could, Ruiz was too fat and slow to get to him. I'm not sure that path is there for Warrington because Lara pushes it and comes forward with combinations of punches and is light on his feet. I believe we would see a completely different Warrington, trying to nick a stinker. He might be able to do it but you have to make Lara a good favorite.

Warrington took alot of big shots inbetween rounds 4 and 9. If he boxes smart not standing and trading taking the big shots he has a good chance to get the win. He was hurt massively but fought on trading for the next 5 rounds. In the rematch he will b in and out high guard 100%focused on the man infront of him cause its sink or swim. To right him off completely is imo crazy yes he took alot and who knows what its done to him. But that loss cud b a blessing to show him he can get hurt and lose.

maley1984 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2021, 14:31 Warrington took alot of big shots inbetween rounds 4 and 9. If he boxes smart not standing and trading taking the big shots he has a good chance to get the win. He was hurt massively but fought on trading for the next 5 rounds. In the rematch he will b in and out high guard 100%focused on the man infront of him cause its sink or swim. To right him off completely is imo crazy yes he took alot and who knows what its done to him. But that loss cud b a blessing to show him he can get hurt and lose.

A boxer in the lower weights doesn't fight for 16 months, turns 30 and quits his belt to avoid his bitter rival. I'm struggling to see how getting battered and KTFO "cud b a blessing".

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 04:31

maley1984 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2021, 14:31 Warrington took alot of big shots inbetween rounds 4 and 9. If he boxes smart not standing and trading taking the big shots he has a good chance to get the win. He was hurt massively but fought on trading for the next 5 rounds. In the rematch he will b in and out high guard 100%focused on the man infront of him cause its sink or swim. To right him off completely is imo crazy yes he took alot and who knows what its done to him. But that loss cud b a blessing to show him he can get hurt and lose.

A boxer in the lower weights doesn't fight for 16 months, turns 30 and quits his belt to avoid his bitter rival. I'm struggling to see how getting battered and KTFO "cud b a blessing".

The bitter rivalry is in your head. Kid has been very good on social media in regards to jw since his loss. They fought josh won. The point im making he knows now he can b hurt. His never been down b4. Refocus his mind.

maley1984 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 04:47

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 04:31

maley1984 wrote: ↑25 Feb 2021, 14:31 Warrington took alot of big shots inbetween rounds 4 and 9. If he boxes smart not standing and trading taking the big shots he has a good chance to get the win. He was hurt massively but fought on trading for the next 5 rounds. In the rematch he will b in and out high guard 100%focused on the man infront of him cause its sink or swim. To right him off completely is imo crazy yes he took alot and who knows what its done to him. But that loss cud b a blessing to show him he can get hurt and lose.

A boxer in the lower weights doesn't fight for 16 months, turns 30 and quits his belt to avoid his bitter rival. I'm struggling to see how getting battered and KTFO "cud b a blessing".

The bitter rivalry is in your head. Kid has been very good on social media in regards to jw since his loss. They fought josh won. The point im making he knows now he can b hurt. His never been down b4. Refocus his mind.

In interviews Warrington's face would drop a mile at the mention of Galahad. His Dad would start twitching.
Maybe Barry knows that Warrington needs to build back up if his Leeds fans are to give him another big pay day.

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 05:06

maley1984 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 04:47

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 04:31

A boxer in the lower weights doesn't fight for 16 months, turns 30 and quits his belt to avoid his bitter rival. I'm struggling to see how getting battered and KTFO "cud b a blessing".

The bitter rivalry is in your head. Kid has been very good on social media in regards to jw since his loss. They fought josh won. The point im making he knows now he can b hurt. His never been down b4. Refocus his mind.

In interviews Warrington's face would drop a mile at the mention of Galahad. His Dad would start twitching.
Maybe Barry knows that Warrington needs to build back up if his Leeds fans are to give him another big pay day.

Good point Kid really needs Josh to earn anything. I’d concentrate on Jazza if I was him, though.

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 05:06

maley1984 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 04:47

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 04:31

A boxer in the lower weights doesn't fight for 16 months, turns 30 and quits his belt to avoid his bitter rival. I'm struggling to see how getting battered and KTFO "cud b a blessing".

The bitter rivalry is in your head. Kid has been very good on social media in regards to jw since his loss. They fought josh won. The point im making he knows now he can b hurt. His never been down b4. Refocus his mind.

In interviews Warrington's face would drop a mile at the mention of Galahad. His Dad would start twitching.
Maybe Barry knows that Warrington needs to build back up if his Leeds fans are to give him another big pay day.

Your obsessed. Whats interview questions about Barry got to do with how warrington will react to being stopped by lara.

lol josh is living rent free in his mind

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 05:34 lol josh is living rent free in his mind

maley1984 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 05:32

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 05:06

maley1984 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 04:47


The bitter rivalry is in your head. Kid has been very good on social media in regards to jw since his loss. They fought josh won. The point im making he knows now he can b hurt. His never been down b4. Refocus his mind.

In interviews Warrington's face would drop a mile at the mention of Galahad. His Dad would start twitching.
Maybe Barry knows that Warrington needs to build back up if his Leeds fans are to give him another big pay day.

Your obsessed. Whats interview questions about Barry got to do with how warrington will react to being stopped by lara.

It probably does wind him up. He’s already beaten him three times. I’d be sick of hearing him.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 06:11

maley1984 wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 05:32

Pugilist-specialist wrote: ↑26 Feb 2021, 05:06

In interviews Warrington's face would drop a mile at the mention of Galahad. His Dad would start twitching.
Maybe Barry knows that Warrington needs to build back up if his Leeds fans are to give him another big pay day.

Your obsessed. Whats interview questions about Barry got to do with how warrington will react to being stopped by lara.

It probably does wind him up. He’s already beaten him three times. I’d be sick of hearing him.