Philippines, 20 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


WARRINGTON: KEEP ON F***ING DOUBTING ME!

PhilBoxing.com





'The Leeds Warrior' fired up ahead of Lopez defence

Josh Warrington has warned his Featherweight rivals to underestimate him at their own peril ahead of his IBF World Title defence against Mandatory Challenger Luis Alberto Lopez at the First Direct Arena in Leeds this Saturday December 10, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

The Leeds Warrior, who steps through the ropes for the first time since recapturing his IBF crown against Spain's Kiko Martinez in March, feels that he was written off by many following his shock knockout loss to Mexico's Mauricio Lara behind closed doors in February 2021.

"You don’t want to lose," reflected Warrington. "It’s a division where fighters are constantly coming through and everyone is constantly trying to pull you back down because they want to be in your position. It’s like a game of snakes and ladders. It’s easier to just stay on top.

"It was a bit of a wakeup call was Mauricio Lara – the first one. I let my guard down. I had the Lara defeat and then all of a sudden it was, ‘he’s finished, he’s had his time in the sun’. That’s not the case. It was only a short time in the sun and I feel like I was just getting going."

'Bronco' called out Warrington for a third fight following his impressive early stoppage win over Colombia's Jose Sanmartin at the Plaza de Toros in Mexico City in October. There is clearly no love lost between the pair - with 24-year-old Lara expressing his desire to retire Warrington from boxing in his post fight interview.

"People say he’s dangerous and he’s my boogeyman – f**k that, I know that with my head on it I can beat him easy. W**ker isn’t he – f***ing wanker. I went from number one in the world with Ring Magazine, BoxRec and all of this. I lost to him and then I was down in eighth and ninth.

"They were saying I was done. Guys who a few years ago when I won the World Title were nowhere to be seen. Now all of a sudden, they were above me. How does that work out? Keep on f***ing doubting me. I wasn't supposed to win the British Title but now I'm a two-time World Champion."

Warrington faces another dangerous Mexican on Saturday in the shape of 29-year-old Lopez (26-2 15 KOs). 'El Venado' is no stranger to fighting in the UK having punched his ticket to fight for the title by stopping Isaac Lowe in an eliminator clash in London in December.

Top Rank-promoted Lopez has stayed busy while waiting for his chance to tackle Warrington, notching stoppage wins in April and August, and has arrived in Leeds with ambitions to emulate the stunning KO win his fellow countryman Lara inflicted on Warrington last year.

"Luis Alberto Lopez is full of confidence," said Warrington. "He’s showing the champ no respect whatsoever. We know he’s got power; we know he knows how to finish people. He strongly believes that he’s going to do what his Mexican friend Mauricio Lara did and come over here and blast me out. I’ve got other ideas.

"I feel the strongest I ever have done in my career. I’m sitting down on my punches a lot more. The power has always been there. I’ve never really focused on bringing it but now I am. I like them f***ing early nights to be honest with you. It won’t go the 12. I’m fully focused on doing a job and getting the show closed early."

Warrington vs. Lopez tops a huge night of World Title action in Leeds; Ebanie Bridges (8-1, 3 KOs) defends her IBF Bantamweight World Title against Shannon O'Connell (23-6-1, 11 KOs) in a spicy all-Australian showdown, Wokingham Middleweight Felix Cash (15-0, 10 KOs) takes on Celso Nevez (9-2-2, 2 KOs) over eight rounds, Liverpool's James Metcalf (23-2, 14 KOs) defends his WBA Continental Title against Brooklyn's Courtney Pennington (16-5-3, 7 KOs), Leeds Super-Bantamweight prospect Koby McNamara (3-0) looks to go 4-0 against Nabil Ahmed (1-10-2), former World Champion Shannon Courtenay (7-2, 3 KOs) meets Bournemouth's Gemma Ruegg (5-5, 1 KO) over eight rounds at Super-Bantamweight, Heckmondwike Lightweight Cory O'Regan (8-0) fights Shaun Cooper (13-4) over six rounds, Hopey Price (8-0, 3 KOs) aims to go 9-0 against Jonathan Santana (9-3-1, 1 KO) in front of his home crowd, Gateshead talent Calum French (3-0, 1 KO) looks to finish the year in style against Kurt Jackson (3-0) and Anthony Crolla-trained Lightweight Rhiannon Dixon (5-0) opens the night's action against Kristine Shergold (7-6-1, 1 KO).

Limited remaining tickets are available from primary.stagefront.com




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Suarez sends strong signal
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026
  • THE CORNER SHIFT: Can Ronnie Shields Rebuild Errol Spence Jr. After the Derrick James Fallout?
    By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 20 Jul 2026
  • Yusniel Abrahante Shocks Undefeated Luis Coria in Dominant Performance Live on ProBox TV
    , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Salamov stops Suarez as Borshchev beats Brito at historic IBA Bare Knuckle US debut
    , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Pichay re-elected NCFP prexy, eyes more GMs
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Olympus Rising by TWC - Amateur MMA Fight on Saturday; live broadcast via Kalaro 3.0 Sports Super-app
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Suarez Obliterates Avila in One-Round Blitz to Capture WBO International Crown (Photos)
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Spence vs Tszyu, The Biggest Crossroad Fight Of 2026!
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Power Past Host Peru, Finish World Cup Campaign on a High Note
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 19 Jul 2026
  • Diego Pacheco and Immanuwel Aleem Tip Scales for Carson Showdown
    , Sat, 18 Jul 2026
  • Weights From ‘Flores vs. Navarro’ and 'Suarez vs Avila' at NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, CA &  Live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 18 Jul 2026
  • Tickets on Sale Now for Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Damian Knyba at Prudential Center, Newark, NJ on Sept 4 – Live on TNT and DAZN
    , Sat, 18 Jul 2026
  • Golden Boy Promotions and Vergil Ortiz Jr. Reach Settlement, Focus on Biggest Fights Ahead
    , Sat, 18 Jul 2026
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls Pull Off Stunning Comeback Against World No 3 Puerto Rico, Split Doubleheader in Lima
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • "Pipino" Cuevas: 50 Years as Mexico's Youngest World Champion
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • IBA Secretary General & CEO, Chris Roberts OBE: Regulation is how IBA pave the way forward for Bare-Knuckle Boxing
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE FOR PACHECO VS. ALEEM IN CARSON, CALIFORNIA
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • WBO Youth Champion Esteban Garson Signs Agreement with Tuto Zabala Jr.'s All Star Boxing, Inc.
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Wheels and Waves 2026 at August 8 & 9 in Samal
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • FM Rico Salimbagat leads IIEE Chessmasters team in Bundesliga
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • MCGIRT: WE HAVEN’T SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF PACHECO’S TALENT
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Tickets Are Now on Sale & Special Guests Confirmed for 10th Annual Awards & Induction Weekend
    , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Puma Half Marathon kicks off July 19
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • Asian Youth Chess in China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Jul 2026
  • NONSTOP ACTION ADDED TO ROACH VS. ZEPEDA WITH STACKED UNDERCARD
    , Thu, 16 Jul 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.