Failure against Mauricio Lara not an option as Josh Warrington targets dream unification bout

UNBEATEN LEEDS’ boxer Josh Warrington knows there will be no margin for error when he climbs back into the ring to take on challenger Mauricio Lara this month.
By Peter Smith
Published 1st Feb 2021, 20:43 BST
Josh Warrington on his way to beating Sofiane Takoucht at Leeds Arena in October 2019. Picture: Steve Riding.Josh Warrington on his way to beating Sofiane Takoucht at Leeds Arena in October 2019. Picture: Steve Riding.
Josh Warrington on his way to beating Sofiane Takoucht at Leeds Arena in October 2019. Picture: Steve Riding.

Defeat to the Mexican, at Wembley’s SSE Arena on Saturday, February 13, would shatter world champion Warrington’s hopes of bigger fights against featherweight rivals Xu Can and Gary Russell later in 2021.

The Leeds Warrior, victor in all 30 of his professional contests, has been out of action for 16 months and will be fighting behind closed doors for the first time.

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“For the last six or seven years, I’ve headlined shows in Leeds and Manchester,” he recalled.

Josh Warrington celebrates defeating Sofiane Takoutch in Leeds in July 2019. Picture: Richard Sellers/PAJosh Warrington celebrates defeating Sofiane Takoutch in Leeds in July 2019. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA
Josh Warrington celebrates defeating Sofiane Takoutch in Leeds in July 2019. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA

“I’ve always boxed in front of big numbers.

“When I first came through, it was smaller crowds on the small hall scene, I’ve had a taste of that, but I’ve got used to fighting in front of those big numbers.

“For me, when I come out of those doors, I turn and I look to the crowd.

“I get in the ring and I look down to all of the people around the ringside and up in the stands.

CHALLENGER: Mauricio 'Bronco' Lara battles with Alejandro 'Piston' Palmero in Mexico City in July last year. Picture: Jaime Lopez/Jam Media for Zanfer/Getty ImagesCHALLENGER: Mauricio 'Bronco' Lara battles with Alejandro 'Piston' Palmero in Mexico City in July last year. Picture: Jaime Lopez/Jam Media for Zanfer/Getty Images
CHALLENGER: Mauricio 'Bronco' Lara battles with Alejandro 'Piston' Palmero in Mexico City in July last year. Picture: Jaime Lopez/Jam Media for Zanfer/Getty Images
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“I meet them eye to eye and then I know it’s on – they’re there with me.

“During the fight I can feel the passion and feel the energy.

“Without them there, it’s going to be different, I understand that, but ultimately, when that first bell rings, I’ve got a man standing in front of me who’s trying to stop me from going where I want to be, trying to take food out of my mouth, my kids’ mouth.

“I have to just focus on beating that man and moving on.”

Bigger challenges could be ahead, but Warrington insisted he simply cannot afford to take Lara lightly.

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“The next fight is always the most important one, you can’t afford to slip up,” he warned.

“For my legacy as a fighter, I want to be known as someone who went in there and beat the best.

“This is the pinnacle of my career – nobody in the boxing world ever thought I’d get to this stage.

“All of the big fights are there in front of me. I’m ready to take on the bigger names.”

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Related topics:Mauricio LaraJosh WarringtonWembleyLeeds

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