Josh Warrington sent shockwaves through the British boxing scene by losing to underdog opponent Mauricio Lara after a devastating ninth round knockout from the Mexican.
The 30-year-old undefeated featherweight was floored in round four by his previously-unknown rival before suffering a damaging knockout in round seven in Warrington’s first fight in 16 months.
Without the British and Leeds support at Wembley Arena, Warrington looked unusually rusty and the setback is his the top British featherweight’s first loss after 30 victories.
Warrington was sent to hospital after the fight but doctors told Sky Sports that this was a precaution.
There was no IBF title on the line for the Wembley fight as Warrington vacated it after being informed he must face mandatory challenger Kid Galahad for the second time.
But Lara was drafted in as a replacement opponent for Warrington after WBA champion Can Xu pulled out of a potentially legacy-defining unification bout due to a lack of fans.
The fight was also symbolic to the return of boxing after the British Boxing Board of Control ordered a total suspension of events for January following the announcement of a January lockdown.
Lara – taking part in his first ever fight in European soil – started quick against a more laborious Warrington than usual from the first round and the underdog got the breakthrough his brave and ambitious start deserved.
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The Mexican underdog put the undefeated Warrington in trouble in by flooring the top featherweight fighter for the first time in his career with a swift left swing during the final seconds of round four.
Before hitting the deck, the 30-year-old was staggering all over the place after a series of Lara blows in what was the worst round of boxing in the Leeds man’s career.
