Warrington vs Martinez LIVE result: Latest updates and reaction as Leeds favourite regains world title

Relive all the action from the First Direct Arena in Leeds

Josh Warrington knocks down Kiko Martinez (Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

Josh Warrington became a two-time world champion after stopping Spain’s Kiko Martinez in round seven in Leeds to regain the IBF featherweight title.

Warrington, 31, reclaimed the same IBF crown he lost 14 months ago in thrilling fashion, blitzing a tough and durable defending champion to the delight of a partisan, sell-out crowd at the First Direct Arena.

Martinez, who somehow survived a first-round knockdown and was badly cut above his left eye, came under a barrage of heavy punches in the seventh and the referee stopped the contest two minutes and 12 seconds into the round.

Warrington proved his critics wrong with a whirlwind display in front of his raucous army of fans, catapulting back to the top of his weight division and putting a wretched 2021 behind him in style.

‘The Leeds Warrior’ launched a ferocious assault on Martinez from the opening bell.

A vicious right hook landed flush on Martinez’s chin and sent him to the canvas. He rose to his feet after a count of eight before a cut opened up above his left eye, close to his nose.

The defending champion came under serious pressure in the second round as the Leeds crowd roared Warrington on to what they hoped would be an early victory.

But Martinez proved he is as tough as a walnut. He weathered the storm and looked to get back in the fight as Warrington eased off the pedal.

Warrington had his opponent on the ropes again in the fourth round and a series of pumping rights in the fifth cranked the arena back up to full volume.

Martinez was slow to come out for the sixth as his cut eye was tended to and ended the round nodding in appreciation after being caught by another ramrod right at the end of it.

Warrington sensed it was his time and hurled himself at the Spaniard at the start of the seventh, trapping him on the ropes and pummelling him to a standstill before the referee stepped in to end the fight.

The Yorkshireman bounced back from his first career defeat and a technical draw in his previous two fights, both against fast-emerging Mexican Mauricio Lara.

Warrington had dropped down his weight division’s pecking order, but after seeing off Martinez for a second time - he beat him on points at the same venue in 2017 - he has recaptured the IBF belt and now has even bigger prizes in his sights.

An all-British showdown against Nottingham’s Leigh Wood at Elland Road or the City Ground has been mooted, as have States-side unification fights against WBC champion Mark Magsayo or WBO belt-holder Emanuel Navarrete.

Earlier on the undercard, Ebanie Bridges won the IBF bantamweight title at the second attempt after beating Argentina’s Maria Cecilia Roman on points.

Bridges, ‘The Blonde Bomber’, won a thrilling contest with all three judges scoring in her favour - 100-91, 97-93, 97-93 - after she refused to take a backward step.

Doncaster’s Maxi Hughes retained his IBO lightweight title with a unanimous points win against Rochdale’s Ryan Walsh.

Martinez vs Warrington

• Warrington stops Martinez in round seven

[26 March 2022 23:41 · Tom Kershaw]

[26 March 2022 23:39 · Tom Kershaw]

[26 March 2022 23:31 · Tom Kershaw]

[26 March 2022 23:29 · Tom Kershaw]

[26 March 2022 23:29 · Tom Kershaw]

[26 March 2022 23:27 · Tom Kershaw]

Martinez vs Warrington: Round Seven

Warrington stops Martinez! The referee steps in after Warrington backed Martinez up onto the ropes and unleashed a string of unanswered punches. The Spaniard complains but he wasn’t throwing anything in return and was taking heavy shots. What a night for Warring. A blistering performance.

[26 March 2022 23:23 · Tom Kershaw]

Martinez vs Warrington: Round Six

Another round for Warrington, who is boxing nicely off the back foot now and not taking any unnecessary risks. In all likelihood, he has won all six rounds on the judges’ scorecards so far, plus the knockdown, essentially meaning Martinez’s only remaining hope is a knockout.

[26 March 2022 23:21 · Tom Kershaw]

Martinez vs Warrington: Round Five

Warrington leaves himself open a little more and is caught a couple of times by Martinez, but those punches appear to have little effect on the Leeds man. He is the sharper fighter and repeatedly catches Martinez on the counter as the champion stalks forwards. Another round in the bank for Warrington.

[26 March 2022 23:16 · Tom Kershaw]

Martinez vs Warrington: Round Four

Martinez starts to have a little more success while backed up against the ropes, winging in some short uppercuts. They do nothing to deter Warrington, though, who is more than willing to fight dirty and wrestle on the inside. It’s the Leeds man who lands the cleaner shots and he’s got a convincing lead already. Crucially, now four rounds have been completed, the bout will go to the scorecards rather than be ruled a no contest if it’s stopped due to the cut.

[26 March 2022 23:10 · Tom Kershaw]

Martinez vs Warrington: Round Three

A more measured third round from Warrington, who boxes smartly off the back foot and clearly wins the round. Martinez is struggling with blood running into his eye and obscuring his vision.