BoxRec

Kiko Martinez-Josh Warrington Rematch Set For March 26 At First Direct Arena In Leeds

Kiko Martinez and Josh Warrington will meet in a rematch, just not in a way most boxing fans would’ve envisioned.

Boxing Scene has confirmed Martinez will defend the IBF featherweight title Warrington once owned against the former champion March 26 in Warrington’s hometown of Leeds, England. DAZN and Matchroom Boxing are expected to announce Martinez-Warrington II on Friday as one of eight headliners that the streaming service will offer during the months of February and March.

Martinez-Warrington II will be held at First Direct Arena, where Warrington has drawn capacity crowds several times during his ascent to domestic stardom.

ESPN.com’s Mike Coppinger first reported Thursday that the Martinez-Warrington rematch was set for March 26.

Spain’s Martinez (43-10-2, 30 KOs) will make the first defense of the IBF 126-pound championship he won by stopping another Brit, Kid Galahad, in the sixth round November 13 at Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England, Galahad’s hometown.

Martinez overcame a cut he suffered during the third round to drop Galahad (28-2, 17 KOs) in the fifth round. He went on to knock out Galahad with a right hand in the sixth round.

Warrington will attempt to regain the IBF belt that was stripped from him last year. Warrington (30-1-1, 7 KOs, 1 NC) has suffered back-to-back disappointments against unheralded Mexican Mauricio Lara in his last two bouts.

Lara (23-2-1, 16 KOs, 1 NC) upset Warrington by ninth-round technical knockout February 13 at Wembley Arena in London. Their immediate rematch resulted in a no-contest because Lara suffered a cut over his left eye that prevented him from continuing in the second round.

Lara’s costly cut was caused by an accidental clash of heads September 4 at Headingley Rugby League Stadium in Leeds.

Martinez, 35, and Warrington, 31, first fought in May 2017 at First Direct Arena. Warrington edged Martinez by majority decision in that 12-rounder.

Warrington won that bout by the same score, 116-112, according to judges Robin Dolpierre and Daniel Van de Wiele. Judge John Keane scored Warrington-Martinez a draw, 114-114.

Someone asked on Twitter when the UK fights would begin to me announced..

Well we’re slowly getting some now.

I'd love to see kilo ko Warrington.

Wonder what happened to Galahad.

And if anyone deserved a world title shot, it’s Lara.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 16:54 Wonder what happened to Galahad.

And if anyone deserved a world title shot, it’s Lara.

Galahad must be moving up.

I don’t mind the fight, it gets Josh active again and their styles mesh well.

Hopefully Josh wins and then gets a fight against one of the bigger names in the division.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 16:52 Someone asked on Twitter when the UK fights would begin to me announced..

Well we’re slowly getting some now.

They must be looking to make a big announcement of all of the shows. Strange really considering they’ll still be losing subscribers whilst no fights are formally announced.

Warrington will batter him. Kiko obviously with the punchers chance.

Eddie will have been relieved for this break after the ticket sales in Sheffield.

This is same scenario are Kiki vs. Frampton.

First bout non world title

Second bout Kiko has world title

JamesPhilips wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 16:54 I'd love to see kilo ko Warrington.

me too

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 16:54 Wonder what happened to Galahad.

And if anyone deserved a world title shot, it’s Lara.

x2

bigjack wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 17:43

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 16:54 Wonder what happened to Galahad.

And if anyone deserved a world title shot, it’s Lara.

x2

Kid has moved up, and I think Lara was on his way to stopping Josh again in fight two. Him and Kiko isn't going to do numbers.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 17:47

bigjack wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 17:43

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 16:54 Wonder what happened to Galahad.

And if anyone deserved a world title shot, it’s Lara.

x2

Kid has moved up, and I think Lara was on his way to stopping Josh again in fight two. Him and Kiko isn't going to do numbers.

not in this country no

This is gonna be in Leeds ain’t it?

mickey1975 wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 17:47

bigjack wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 17:43

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑06 Jan 2022, 16:54 Wonder what happened to Galahad.

And if anyone deserved a world title shot, it’s Lara.

x2

Kid has moved up, and I think Lara was on his way to stopping Josh again in fight two. Him and Kiko isn't going to do numbers.

Won’t it ? Why not ?

if it’s in leeds of it will sell end of

dan28uk wrote: ↑07 Jan 2022, 06:24 if it’s in leeds of it will sell end of

It’ll sell well in Leeds but Warrington hasn’t crossed over much with the general sports fan so I can’t really see it driving DAZN subs.

Kiko Martinez-Josh Warrington Rematch Set For March 26 At First Direct Arena In Leeds

Kiko Martinez and Josh Warrington will meet in a rematch, just not in a way most boxing fans would’ve envisioned.

Boxing Scene has confirmed Martinez will defend the IBF featherweight title Warrington once owned against the former champion March 26 in Warrington’s hometown of Leeds, England. DAZN and Matchroom Boxing are expected to announce Martinez-Warrington II on Friday as one of eight headliners that the streaming service will offer during the months of February and March.

Martinez-Warrington II will be held at First Direct Arena, where Warrington has drawn capacity crowds several times during his ascent to domestic stardom.

ESPN.com’s Mike Coppinger first reported Thursday that the Martinez-Warrington rematch was set for March 26.

Spain’s Martinez (43-10-2, 30 KOs) will make the first defense of the IBF 126-pound championship he won by stopping another Brit, Kid Galahad, in the sixth round November 13 at Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England, Galahad’s hometown.

Martinez overcame a cut he suffered during the third round to drop Galahad (28-2, 17 KOs) in the fifth round. He went on to knock out Galahad with a right hand in the sixth round.

Warrington will attempt to regain the IBF belt that was stripped from him last year. Warrington (30-1-1, 7 KOs, 1 NC) has suffered back-to-back disappointments against unheralded Mexican Mauricio Lara in his last two bouts.

Lara (23-2-1, 16 KOs, 1 NC) upset Warrington by ninth-round technical knockout February 13 at Wembley Arena in London. Their immediate rematch resulted in a no-contest because Lara suffered a cut over his left eye that prevented him from continuing in the second round.

Lara’s costly cut was caused by an accidental clash of heads September 4 at Headingley Rugby League Stadium in Leeds.

Martinez, 35, and Warrington, 31, first fought in May 2017 at First Direct Arena. Warrington edged Martinez by majority decision in that 12-rounder.

Warrington won that bout by the same score, 116-112, according to judges Robin Dolpierre and Daniel Van de Wiele. Judge John Keane scored Warrington-Martinez a draw, 114-114.

Josh didn't lose the belt in the rig, althought he was KO'd his very next fight.

Don't know if he really deserves it.. But he sells tickets. Will be a 13k sell out.

dan28uk wrote: ↑07 Jan 2022, 06:24 if it’s in leeds of it will sell end of

I meant Kiko-Galahad wouldn't sell.

mickey1975 wrote: ↑07 Jan 2022, 06:46

dan28uk wrote: ↑07 Jan 2022, 06:24 if it’s in leeds of it will sell end of

I meant Kiko-Galahad wouldn't sell.

oh i see , i’d rather of seen that rematch to be fair but kids moving up i believe someone’s said

This works really well for everyone.

Kiko gets his payday. Eddie gets a belt onto Josh in the easiest possible way and has a mid level name world champion.

Josh is resurrected.

Not really a fight I'm arsed about though.

garethhop wrote: ↑07 Jan 2022, 08:54 This works really well for everyone.

Kiko gets his payday. Eddie gets a belt onto Josh in the easiest possible way and has a mid level name world champion.

Josh is resurrected.

Not really a fight I'm arsed about though.

Unless Kiko chins Warr..

At least Eddeh regains a world champion.

first kiko vs josh fight was really good