Former featherweight champion Josh Warrington is reportedly eyeing a June 10th return at OVO Arena against an opponent that has not yet been determined. Initial reports from Bad Left Hook at SB Nation suggest that Warrington could soon be fighting contender Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz or Jazza Dickens. Dickens said he received an offer from Warrington’s camp while reports suggest Diaz is in “advanced negotiations” with the former champion. Thus far, Warrington nor his representatives have issued a statement or update regarding his next opponent. Regardless of who it is, the former champion says he will be hungrier than ever as he hopes to regain his world title down the line.
“I’m in my prime, my belief to win another world title is still there,” he said, per Yahoo!
“I feel hungrier than I ever have done and I’m just as hungry to win a world title again.”
In March of 2022, Warrington stopped Kiko Martinez in the seventh round to gain the IBF Featherweight Championship. Months later, Luis Alberto Lopez beat him by majority decision to claim the IBF title. Since then, Lopez has set up a fight with Michael Conlan on May 27, 2023. As a result, Warrington has set his sights on a potential third fight with Mauricio Lara, who holds the WBA Featherweight Championship. Lara beat Warrington by TKO in February 2021, but their second fight was cut short due to a cut caused by a clash of heads. Now, Lara appears to be headed for a rematch with Leigh Wood and a potential third fight with Warrington if he wins.
“He seemed to have made it a personal thing and said he wants to retire me,” Warrington said.
“I never thought it was personal until he spat at me which is one of the most degrading things that anyone can do… I’d rather be punched than spat on. For myself, it’s the lowest of the low and now it’s personal. I would love to put that to bed and I strongly believe if I turn up with the right mindset I beat him quite comfortably.”
