Josh Warrington targets US debut after reclaiming his IBF featherweight title

Josh Warrington is targeting a first career fight in America after his emphatic seventh-round victory over Kiko Martinez. 

The Leeds Warrior made himself world champion for a second time by going back to his good old-fashioned brutalising ways. 

Warrington suffered a shock loss of his own to the previously unknown quantity Mauricio Lara, who wiped out the Yorkshireman in their February bout, before their rematch seven months later ended in a technical draw following an accidental clash of heads.

The Leeds Warrior made himself IBF featherweight world champion for a second time

He returned in style in front of a 10,000-strong hometown crowd to beat Martinez at the First Direct Arena.

Following his victory, names such as Leigh Wood, Leo Santa Cruz, Emanuel Navarrete and Mark Magsayo are being rumoured as his next fights.

A huge all-British battle with Wood – who produced a sensational last-gasp knockout to retain his WBA ‘regular’ belt against Michael Conlan in Nottingham a fortnight ago – at either the City Ground or Elland Road is expected.  

Names such as Leigh Wood, Leo Santa Cruz, Emanuel Navarrete and Mark Magsayo are being rumoured as Warrington’s next fight

Warrington is keen to take his fans on an away day with his eyes on a trip over to America

But Warrington is keen to take his fans on an away day with his eyes on a trip over to America as his primary focus. 

‘If we’ve got to go down and boot the doors off of the City Ground, away day, we’ll do it,’ Warrington told DAZN after his second win over Martinez, five years after outpointing the Spaniard at the same venue.

‘But for a long time we’ve been wanting to go to the States. Many of these [fans] have got their passports at the ready, their credit cards at the ready.

A huge all-British battle with Leigh Wood at the City Ground could be next for Warrington

‘We want an away day next. 11 times we’ve been here, we’ve done Headingley and we’ve done Elland Road. Let’s have an away day.’

Promoter Eddie Hearn fuelled the fire regarding a possible Stateside fight for Warrington next up.

‘Josh has long wanted a trip to America and it would be Ricky Hatton-esque if we could do it,’ he told BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘There’s mandatory as well and loads of politics.

‘It looked like his career might be over, but he came back and regained the belt. He’s back in control with big nights ahead.’