Josh Warrington v Kiko Martinez II: weigh-in, ring walk, UK time, TV coverage and fightcard

Martinez and Warrington are returning to the ring 13 months after they both suffered defeats on the same card.

Warrington, who had previously been an unbeaten boxer, suffered a shock defeat by the relatively unknown boxer Mauricio Lara.

Martinez fell to a points defeat against Britain’s Zelfa Barrett after the Brit was handed a highly controversial wide points decision.

This will be the pair’s second meet in the ring after Warrington beat the 36-year-old back in 2017 and the two fighters will seek to take home the IBF featherweight world title.

A rematch between never appeared to be on the cards for Warrington.

Prior to the shock defeat by Lara, Warrington vacated his IBF belt in the hope of lining up a historic bout with Xu Can, while the governing body was pushing for a second bout against Kid Galahad - another British fighter Warrington had already beaten.

However disaster struck and for the first time in his professional career: the Leeds fighter suffered defeat.

Warrington jumped into a rematch, which ended in a technical draw after Lara was left with a nasty cut above his eye and was unable to continue.

Without a win since 2019, Warrington was then lined up for a rematch with his former foe, Martinez, and the Spaniard is now coming in as Champion.

Martinez became a two-time world champion in the blink of an eye and the 31-year-old must be on his best form if he is to get his first win in three years.

Speaking ahead of the fight, Warrington said: “He’s always dangerous. I’ve got to be massively switched on because what he did against Galahad goes to show that if I’m not switched on, it’s good night Vienna.

“Timing, speed and reactions die off but punch power doesn’t. That was testament to it right there.

“I’ve learned that in the last 18 months more than anyone. Look at the first Lara fight, being too cocky, overlooking an opponent, thinking something was a given and ended up getting stopped in nine rounds.

“I don’t want that to happen again and it won’t be happening this time.”

Here is all you need to know ahead of Martinez v Warrington II

When is the weigh-in?

The fighters will step onto the scales at 13:00 GMT on Friday 25 March, taking place at the Queens Hotel Ballroom in Leeds.

When is Martinez v Warrington II?

The bout is scheduled to take place on Saturday 26 March. Depending on the results earlier in the night, the two fighters are expected to walk the ring at 10pm GMT.

Where is the fight taking place?

Warrington will enjoy a home advantage as he takes Martinez on at the First Direct Arena, Leeds.

How to watch the fight

The fight will be available to watch on DAZN. It will be available to watch on any compatible device and can be streamed through DAZN.

A monthly subscription costs £7.99.

How do the fighters compare?

Kiko Martinez is 36-years-old and is 5ft 5in tall. He has a reach of 66 inches and fights an orthodox stance.

In a total of 55 fights, the Spaniard has won 43, lost ten and drawn two. 14 of his wins have been by knockout.

31-year-old Warrington is 5ft 7in and has a reach of 67 inches. He too fights in an orthodox stance and out of his 32 fights, has won 30 of them. Seven of these 30 have been won through knockout.

Fight card

• Josh Warrington vs Kiko Martinez for IBF featherweight title 
• Maxi Hughes v Ryan Walsh for IBO lightweight 
• Maria Cecillia Roman v Ebanie Bridges for IBF bantamweight title 
• Dalton Smith v Ray Moylette
• Calum French vs TBA
• Mali Wright vs TBA
• Cory O’Regan vs TBA

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