Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington: UK ring walk time, how to watch, live stream, undercard, odds

Josh Warrington will look to regain the IBF featherweight strap he vacated last year as he takes on veteran Kiko Martinez, who he already holds a win over, next week. 

The Leeds Warrior, undefeated at the time, gave up his strap in search of an eagerly-anticipated bout against then WBA champion Xu Can, with the IBF instead ordering a bout against Kid Galahad, who he’d previously beaten.  

Galahad went on to win the vacant title with victory over Jazza Dickens last year, but his reign as champion lasted just three months before he fell to a shock defeat to Martinez.

Warrington meanwhile sustained a shock loss of his own to the previously largely unknown 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. 

Warrington is determined to share the ring with Lara for a third time, but beforehand comes a golden opportunity to regain his status as a world champion in a featherweight division currently thriving both domestically and around the world. 

With the eagerly-awaited spectacle swiftly approaching, Sportsmail takes you through everything you need to know.  

Josh Warrington (right) takes on IBF featherweight champion Kiko Martinez (left) next week

Warrington already holds a win over Martinez, defeating the Spaniard on points back in 2017

When is Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington?

The clash between Martinez and Warrington is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 26 at the First Direct Arena, Leeds.   

The pair are expected to walk to the ring at around 10pm for those in the UK, though that will of course depend on results beforehand.  

There is also plenty of action on the undercard, with Maxi Hughes and Ryan Walsh coming together for the IBO lightweight title, while Ebanie Bridges fights Maria Cecillia Roman for the IBF bantamweight title.   

How to watch the fight 

The fight, which will be a 12-round contest, will be broadcast live on DAZN. 

It will be available to stream in over 200 countries across the globe, with Australia and New Zealand the notable exceptions.  

Customers will be able to stream the fight via the app on their television, console, mobile, tablet or computer device.   

Sportsmail will also be covering the fight live, so you can keep up-to-date with us. 

Martinez vs Warrington: The key stats

Warrington comes into the fight on the back of a technical draw with rival Mauricio Lara

Warrington had previously been stunned by the hard-hitting Mexican in February of last year

Martinez meanwhile defeated Kid Galahad in November last year in another shock result

Fight card in full

• Josh Warrington vs Kiko Martinez for IBF featherweight title
• Maxi Hughes vs Ryan Walsh for IBO lightweight title
• Maria Cecillia Roman vs Ebanie Bridges for IBF bantamweight title
• Dalton Smith vs Ray Moylette 
• Calum French vs TBA
• Mali Wright vs TBA
• Cory O’Regan vs TBA

What’s been said?

As stated, the pair have already shared the ring back in 2017, when Warrington claimed a majority decision victory, ironically again at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. 

After a gruelling encounter, Warrington was given the nod on two of the judges’ scorecards, both 116-112, while the third gave it a 114-114 draw.  

And it appears as if the defeat is still very much weighing on Martinez’s mind, with Warrington insisting he’s already in his opponent’s head.

‘I guess I must be (in his head),’ he told DAZN. ‘It’s funny because he was going to be a sparring partner last year before the Mauricio Lara fight. We were going to pay for him to come over.

Warrington, 31, believes his opponent is still troubled by the loss suffered in their 2017 bout

Martinez vows to emerge victorious in the rematch, however, insisting he will shock the world

‘After the fight I heard he was saying my name in the changing rooms, he’s desperate for the fight so that’s something he wants to put to bed, now he’s got an opportunity to do it.

‘He ain’t knocking me out, simple as that. I got knocked out against Mauricio Lara, but I took five rounds of clean shots before I got knocked out.

‘Kiko can bang, but he’s not doing a one-punch knockout to me like he did against Kid Galahad.’

Martinez, on the other hand, insists he’ll shock the world again. Speaking at their announcement presser in January, he said: ‘I’ve come with the same mentality, to win and win quickly, to surprise the world again. I’m delighted to show that I can reign once again at this level.’

Martinez vs Warrington: The odds

Though Warrington’s last win came over two years ago in 2019, it’s the former world champion who is the favourite among the bookies to emerge victorious on March 26. 

Warrington is 1/5 to get the victory, with a Martinez win down at 10/3 and an unlikely draw at 20/1. 

*Odds as per Betfair and correct at the time of publication.

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