Warrington, Should He Win IBF Belt, Willing To Face Wood in Nottingham

Josh Warrington, if he regains his IBF featherweight title, would certainly be open to the scenario of facing WBA “regular” champion Leigh Wood in Nottingham.

Warrington will collide with IBF champion Kiko Martinez on Saturday night at the First Direct Arena.

Five years ago, Warrington won a close twelve round decision over Martinez.

The 31-year-old Warrington had vacated the IBF title 14 months ago. The belt was eventually capture by Kid Galahad, who Martinez shockingly knocked out last year.

Warrington is still rebuilding his career after last year’s unexpected knockout loss to Maurico Lara. A rematch was held later in the year, but the fight ended without a verdict due to an accidental clash of heads.

A Warrington victory could set up a big domestic showdown with Wood, who earlier this month scored a dramatic knockout win over Michael Conlan. Warrington has no problem with facing Wood in his backyard.

“Most definitely. Listen, I’d love to go and boot the doors down at the City Ground and take the balmy Leeds lot with us and beat [Wood] in his backyard. But let’s concentrate on Saturday night and we’ll go from there,” Warrington said.

Martinez, 36-years-old, was widely viewed as a massive underdog when he sensationally knocked Galahad out cold in the sixth round of their clash.

Warrington is taking Martinez very seriously.

“There’s no need to be bad-mouthing Kiko Martinez. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, as a lot of fighters do. But he did have a little pop at my bar-cut fringe. He said I looked like Jim Carey, so I thought I’d have a little go back at him,” Warrington said.