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Josh Warrington vs Kiko Martinez: Everything you need to know

Josh Warrington

Josh Warrington takes on old rival Kiko Martinez for the IBF world featherweight title this week and is bidding to become a two-time world champion.

Kiko Martinez became the new IBF featherweight world champion in November after his shock win over Kid Galahad.
The Sheffield fighter Galahad was cruising to a successful title defence for four rounds. But in round five Galahad was floored by the veteran Martinez and he then knocked him out with his first punch in the sixth.

It's alleged the Spaniard was calling out Warrington as soon as he was back inside the dressing rooms in Sheffield. And five years on the pair will meet again in a rematch - and the Leeds Warrier's first fight since his technical draw to Mauricio Lara.

Warrington edged out Martinez on points to make it 25 fights without defeat in 2017. One judge scored it a draw with the other two judges scoring it 116-112 in favour of the Brit.

The Leeds fighter also defeated Galahad in 2019, but there was huge debate over whether he deserved the split-decision victory on his home patch.

When is Warrington v Martinez?

The 12-round IBF world featherweight title clash will take place on Saturday, March 26 at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

What time is the ringwalk? 

The pair will walk to the ring in Leeds around 22:15pm. But the time will depend on the undercard, which features Maxi Hughes and Ebanie Bridges.

What TV channel is the fight on?

The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN Global.

Who trains the fighters?

Warrington is trained by his father, Sean O'Hagan.

Also in the West Yorkshire stable are Maxi Hughes, Jack Bateson and Daz Tetley.
Martinez is managed by former world middleweight champion Sergio Martinez and trained by his former trainer Gabriel Sarmiento.

What have they said?

Josh Warrington: "It's still open with how the fight finished last time. Everyone's been getting excited about him because of his win at the weekend but he's not a Lee Selby, a Carl Frampton or a Kiko Martinez (fighters Warrington has beaten).

"He beat me, yes, and I might sound contradictory, but me switched on and I beat him easy," he said last week at a media day with Planet Sport present.

"He's making a bit of smoke, he's getting a bit of excitement and he can dig. You can be a big, big hitter but it doesn't always guarantee you world titles."

"He ain't knocking me out, simple as that," said the Leeds man.

"I got knocked out against Mauricio Lara, but I took five rounds of clean shots before I got knocked out.
"Kiko can bang, but he's not doing a one-punch knockout to me like he did against Kid Galahad."

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