Warrington vs Martinez LIVE result: Latest updates and reaction as Leeds favourite regains world title

Relive all the action from the First Direct Arena in Leeds

Josh Warrington knocks down Kiko Martinez (Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)

Josh Warrington became a two-time world champion after stopping Spain’s Kiko Martinez in round seven in Leeds to regain the IBF featherweight title.

Warrington, 31, reclaimed the same IBF crown he lost 14 months ago in thrilling fashion, blitzing a tough and durable defending champion to the delight of a partisan, sell-out crowd at the First Direct Arena.

Martinez, who somehow survived a first-round knockdown and was badly cut above his left eye, came under a barrage of heavy punches in the seventh and the referee stopped the contest two minutes and 12 seconds into the round.

Warrington proved his critics wrong with a whirlwind display in front of his raucous army of fans, catapulting back to the top of his weight division and putting a wretched 2021 behind him in style.

‘The Leeds Warrior’ launched a ferocious assault on Martinez from the opening bell.

A vicious right hook landed flush on Martinez’s chin and sent him to the canvas. He rose to his feet after a count of eight before a cut opened up above his left eye, close to his nose.

The defending champion came under serious pressure in the second round as the Leeds crowd roared Warrington on to what they hoped would be an early victory.

But Martinez proved he is as tough as a walnut. He weathered the storm and looked to get back in the fight as Warrington eased off the pedal.

Warrington had his opponent on the ropes again in the fourth round and a series of pumping rights in the fifth cranked the arena back up to full volume.

Martinez was slow to come out for the sixth as his cut eye was tended to and ended the round nodding in appreciation after being caught by another ramrod right at the end of it.

Warrington sensed it was his time and hurled himself at the Spaniard at the start of the seventh, trapping him on the ropes and pummelling him to a standstill before the referee stepped in to end the fight.

The Yorkshireman bounced back from his first career defeat and a technical draw in his previous two fights, both against fast-emerging Mexican Mauricio Lara.

Warrington had dropped down his weight division’s pecking order, but after seeing off Martinez for a second time - he beat him on points at the same venue in 2017 - he has recaptured the IBF belt and now has even bigger prizes in his sights.

An all-British showdown against Nottingham’s Leigh Wood at Elland Road or the City Ground has been mooted, as have States-side unification fights against WBC champion Mark Magsayo or WBO belt-holder Emanuel Navarrete.

Earlier on the undercard, Ebanie Bridges won the IBF bantamweight title at the second attempt after beating Argentina’s Maria Cecilia Roman on points.

Bridges, ‘The Blonde Bomber’, won a thrilling contest with all three judges scoring in her favour - 100-91, 97-93, 97-93 - after she refused to take a backward step.

Doncaster’s Maxi Hughes retained his IBO lightweight title with a unanimous points win against Rochdale’s Ryan Walsh.

Martinez vs Warrington

• Warrington stops Martinez in round seven

[26 March 2022 22:28 · Tom Kershaw]

Ebanie Bridges vs Maria Cecilia Roman

Roman lands the more eye-catching shots in the final round, throwing everything in an effort to keep her title. Bridges takes the shots well though and responds with her own. Both fighters refuse to take a backwards step until the final bell rings. We’re heading to the scorecards.

[26 March 2022 22:25 · Tom Kershaw]

Ebanie Bridges vs Maria Cecilia Roman

Roman has got a second wind now while Bridges has tired significantly. The champion is increasingly picking clean shots and landing hard punches and she’s done enough to win the last two rounds. But with only one round remaining, surely Bridges early success can get her over the line here.

[26 March 2022 22:16 · Tom Kershaw]

Ebanie Bridges vs Maria Cecilia Roman

Bridges has tired a touch and there are a few more openings for Roman. She doesn’t have the power to really force Bridges to take a backwards step though and is consistently getting roughed up on the inside. The Argentine will almost certainly need a knockout in these last four rounds to avoid losing her title.

[26 March 2022 22:12 · Tom Kershaw]

Ebanie Bridges vs Maria Cecilia Roman

Bridges has thrown and landed over twice as many punches as Roman. The Argentine hasn’t managed to offer anything to give Bridges proper pause for thought.

[26 March 2022 22:07 · Tom Kershaw]

Ebanie Bridges vs Maria Cecilia Roman

A very dominant third round for Bridges, who is able to throw almost at will with Roman tucking up behind a high guard. Bridges is clearly the stronger of the pair and is almost bullying the champion.

[26 March 2022 22:01 · Tom Kershaw]

Ebanie Bridges vs Maria Cecilia Roman

Roman is happy to stand and trade in the centre of the ring in the opening round, which favours Bridges who looks to have more power.

[26 March 2022 21:56 · Tom Kershaw]

Ebanie Bridges vs Maria Cecilia Roman

This is Bridges’ second attempt at winning a world title after losing on points against Shannon Courtenay last year.

Roman has defended the belt seven times but, at 39, is in the twilight of her career.

[26 March 2022 21:49 · Tom Kershaw]

Ebanie Bridges vs Maria Cecilia Roman

Next up, Ebanie Bridges challenges Maria Cecilia Roman for the IBF bantamweight title.

[26 March 2022 21:40 · Tom Kershaw]

[26 March 2022 21:38 · Tom Kershaw]

Maxi Hughes vs Ryan Walsh

The final bell rings. A very accomplished performance from Maxi Hughes, who will no doubt receive a wide unanimous decision on the scorecards. The weight difference was a bridge too far for Walsh, but he was outboxed at every step too.