Josh Warrington takes on Luis Antonio Lopez this weekend as he makes his first defence of his IBF featherweight title in Leeds on Saturday night.
The Leeds Warrior reclaimed the title back in March, beating Kiko Martinez via a seventh round TKO. He had surrendered the belt one month prior to his first career defeat to Mauricio Lara a year earlier and following a controversial draw against Lara at Headingley. Six months later he took on Martinez at the First Direct Arena back in March to reclaim his title.
Having enjoyed an illustrious career to date, he will be hoping that he can defend his title in order to set up a huge future fight against Leigh Wood. Lara pulled out of a fight against the Nottingham based WBA (regular) featherweight champion in September and a win for Warrington could set up a massive British contest against either Wood or Lara next year.
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Lopez is a relatively unknown quantity having neve fought one of the aforementioned big names within the featherweight division. However, he has already impressed on UK soil with his knockout win against Isaac Lowe at York Hall last December which was followed by two more stoppage victories to set up this world championship bout as the mandatory challenger.
Ahead of the fight, Warrington labelled himself an underdog during Thursday's press conference, saying: "I’ve been in this position all throughout my career. I wasn’t meant to get this position. I wasn’t meant to win a European Title, I wasn’t meant to get a World Title. I’ve always been an underdog.
"Any fight at this level is always going to be a hard fight because he’s got himself into mandatory position. He’s beaten some decent guys along the way but I just don’t think he’s mixed in the same level that I’ve been in with. He’s certainly not had a fight like me."
Josh Warrington vs Luis Antonio Lopez odds
- Josh Warrington: 4/6
- Luis Alberto Lopez: 11/10
(odds via BetMGM)
Josh Warrington vs Luis Antonio Lopez prediction
With both fighters having secured stoppages in their most recent fights, expect fireworks in Yorkshire on Saturday night with both fighters aiming to knock their opponent out.
The bookies have Warrington as the marginal favourite, but considering that he is the home favourite this demonstrates the threat that Lopez poses.
With three successive knockouts to become the mandatory challenger it will be fascinating to see how Lopez reacts to the step up in quality which Warrington will bring for the 29-year-old Mexican.
However, with his big fight experience it will be expected that Warrington will defend his belt in order to set up a huge 2023 with Lara and Wood both options for the Leeds Warrior.
Prediction: Warrington in ninth round.
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