British Boxing: Josh Warrington Suffers A Seismic Shock To Mauricio Lara, Knocked Out Inside 9 Rounds.

Following a month of white noise for British Boxing, Eddie Hearn & Matchroom led the charge in a return for the sweet science as they went back to their resident home during this pandemic at the SSE Arena, Wembley. Josh Warrington signed to his former promotional team in early 2020, and just over 16 months on from his last outing, he was looking for his 31st win to further stake his claim as the number one Featherweight on the planet.

"The Leeds Warrior" vacated his IBF strap earlier in February, claiming to the BBC "I can't let those decisions stand in the way of me going down in British boxing history." Tonight was about getting rounds in against the fairly respected Mauricio Lara, with a win set to put him on the fringe of a world title shot with any of the four world champions at nine stone.

Josh Warrington v Mauricio Lara - 12 Rounds Featherweight (Lara Wins Via 9th Round KO) - Sky Sports & DAZN

After a 16-month layoff for the former world champion, Josh Warrington made a ring walk tonight to an unfamiliarly quiet Wembley arena, and was looking for what was set to be a formality victory over the relatively unknown Mauricio Lara. It was the Mexican who settled in quicker, potentially a sign or two that the Leeds warrior had ring rust to shift.

He did work his way into the following two rounds, boxing with his usual high output whilst pressuring his opponent. However, the 4th round seen the start of a seismic shock developing at a rapid pace. Lara started to close the gap with Warrington and landed a brilliant set of hooks which Warrington was failing to defend. His gloves were dropped and so was he just moments later for the first time in his career. Warrington did get back up to his feet, but his legs were betraying him and he was in dire straits, somehow, holding on to hear the bell despite the brutal onslaught Lara was producing.

Josh Warrington showed his true Yorkshire heart to fight on in brave fashion, but failing to win a round or even look at all competitive. Lara continued to float his devastating left hook into Warrington and wore him down with ease. Eventually, Lara's power was proving too much for Warrington, and a set of 4 left hooks to the defenceless Englishman seen him dropped once, before getting back up to his feet only for Lara to drop him again, this time Warrington wasn't getting back up.

It was a truly astonishing win for Mauricio Lara. Everyone outside of his team gave him no chance, but we should have all looked deeper into comments from WBO Featherweight world champion Emanuel Navarrete, who described him as one of the hardest punchers he has ever sparred. Josh Warrington will need time to come back from this horrible night but will return and many would assume better than ever before.