Josh Warrington prepares for one last title dance in Leeds

Josh Warrington celebrates after winning his IBF World Featherweight Title fight against Kiko Martinez at the First Direct Arena in March Picture: Martin Rickett/PA

JOSH WARRINGTON has admitted his IBF World Featherweight title fight against Luis Alberto Lopez on December 10 could be his last fight at the Leeds Arena.

Warrington regained the IBF belt when he stopped Kiko Martinez in his Leeds fortress in March, with the hometown hero flooring the Spaniard in the opening round before ending matters in the seventh round to punctuate a blistering performance in front of his adoring fans.

The 31-year-old suffered a broken jaw in his second career win over Martinez but has fully recovered and now aims to take care of a dangerous mandatory challenge before targeting unification blockbusters.

“I’m very excited to be back in Leeds,” said Warrington. “It’s going to be a hard fight, he comes forward, he’s wild and erratic, I’ve got history with Mexican fighters, but I’m hoping to put on a great performance in front of my home crowd.

“I’ve been saying it for so long about going over to the States and fighting in a unification fight. That’s the dream but due to delays with injuries to my jaw and hand I have to fight my mandatory now. I’m fully focused on doing a job, getting the show closed early and finishing 2022 with a bang.”

Lopez is no stranger to fighting in the UK having punched his ticket to fight for the title by stopping Isaac Lowe in an eliminator clash in London in December. The 29-year-old Mexican travels to Leeds with ambitions to emulate the stunning knockout win his fellow countryman Mauricio Lara inflicted on the Warrington in February 2021.

“I remember, not too long ago, when a Mexican fighter knocked Josh out in his country,” said Lopez. “On December 10, in his hometown, I am going to silence his fans. The IBF title will return to Mexico.”

Terri Harper was crowned the new WBA super-welterweight champion with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Scotland's Hannah Rankin.

The English challenger, who moved up three weight classes for the bout in Nottingham, opened up Rankin's eyebrow in the second round.

And Harper continued to be dominant to also claim the IBO belt.

The 25-year-old is now a two-time world champion having previously held the WBC super-featherweight title.