Josh Warrington’s road back to the summit of the featherweight division reached its most dramatic point on 26 March 2022, when the Leeds favourite reclaimed the IBF world title with a seventh-round stoppage of Kiko Martínez at the First Direct Arena.

Five years after their first meeting, this was framed as a fight neither man could afford to lose. Warrington entered the ring having endured a bruising spell in his career. His previous outing, a controversial technical draw with Mauricio Lara at Headingley Stadium in September 2021, had been cut short by an accidental clash of heads, leaving unfinished business and plenty of doubt around his standing. Before that came a stoppage defeat to the same Mexican puncher, results that made this night feel like a reckoning.

From the opening bell, Warrington made it clear he intended to settle matters on his own terms. He started at a ferocious pace, forcing Martínez onto the back foot and backing him towards the ropes with sustained pressure. The champion, who had claimed the IBF belt with a devastating knockout late the previous year, found himself under immediate strain as Warrington mixed body attacks with sharp combinations upstairs.

The first round set the tone. Martínez was rocked early and bloodied, struggling to gain any rhythm as Warrington’s volume and accuracy overwhelmed him. The Spaniard’s experience showed in his refusal to panic, but the damage was already visible. Cuts began to open, and his attempts to answer back with single heavy shots were smothered or evaded.

As the fight moved into the middle rounds, the tempo remained punishing. Warrington showed maturity alongside aggression, stepping off at angles, resetting behind the jab, and choosing when to plant his feet. Martínez had moments where he edged forward with intent, but every rally seemed to cost him more than it gained. The challenger’s conditioning, long considered one of his greatest assets, allowed him to keep the pressure relentless without losing structure.

By the sixth round, Martínez’s face told the story of the contest. Blood streamed freely, his vision clearly compromised, yet he continued to march forward, driven by pride and championship resolve. Warrington, however, was now in full command, picking his shots and forcing the referee to take a closer look at the defending champion’s condition.

The end came at 2 minutes and 12 seconds of the seventh round. A sustained burst from Warrington left Martínez unable to intelligently defend himself, prompting the stoppage and sending the Leeds crowd into celebration. It was a decisive finish that left no room for dispute.

For Josh Warrington, this victory marked a return to world champion status and redemption after a turbulent period. For Kiko Martínez, it was a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful first defence of his title. On a night charged with emotion and urgency, Warrington and Martínez delivered a fight that captured the unforgiving reality of elite featherweight boxing.