If there’s a sport that provides second chances, it’s boxing and there isn’t a more thankful boxer for that right now than Josh Warrington (30-1, 7 KOs).
Prior to his February date with Mauricio Lara (23-2, 16 KOs) , Warrington was expected the cruise and retain his undefeated record. But, as boxing likes to remind us, it can be an unpredictable business on fight night.
Lara would send Warrington to the canvas in the fourth and ninth round en route to a 9th round TKO win.
Warrington’s “reasons” were typical of the Covid-19 boxing environment. “I felt flat even walking to the ring. I’m looking around and nobody’s there,” said Warrington.
That might be the reason why Warrington wanted an immediate rematch. Similar to Sugar Ray Leonard’s reaction when first lost to Roberto Duran, there’s been some reflection that will make you worry. “I’ve never been shaken like that – and I’ve been in against some big punchers and been hit clean. This was like nothing else. I’ve never been buzzed like that.”
Warrington’s reflection might worry some of his supporters. Is the first fight still stuck in his head? If he unsure of a fight he literally beat him around the ring to hand him his first loss? We’ve seen this in boxing. Sometimes the response is like Leonard’s. The all-time great went on to embarrass Duran in the second fight. But, we’ve also seen fighters struggle with in rematches like Alexis Arguello did when he faced Aaron Pryor the second time. The fight ended worse than the first fight.
Saturday night (DAZN) we will find out which fighter Warrington will be.
Photo Credit: DAZN
