Once upon a time, Josh Warrington was the International Boxing Federation featherweight champion. Warrington made history as the first male boxer from Leeds to beat the Boxing odds for a major world title. Warrington will be meeting up against an old rival on Saturday. Namely, Kiko Martinez was defeated by Warrington on May 13, 2017, for the WBC International Featherweight title. Martinez has gone on to win the IBF featherweight and super-bantamweight titles. Saturday will be the first title defense bout for Martinez. Of great concern is how Warrington has responded to his loss to Mauricio Lara.
IBF Featherweight Title Kiko Martinez vs. Josh Warrington
| Date and Time: | Saturday, March 26, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Location: | First Direct Arena, Leeds |
| Martinez vs. Warrington TV Coverage: | DAZN |
Martinez vs. Warrington SBG Odds
| Boxer | Odds |
|---|---|
| Josh Warrington | -440 |
| Kiko Martinez | +300 |
Kiko Martinez vs. Josh Warrington SBG Odds Overview
In this situation, the defending champion Kiko Martinez is in the position of being the sportsbook underdog. Cause by Warrington’s past status as an undefeated champion. In fact, had Warrington not lost to Mauricio Lara last year, the price might even be higher. Warrington will be fighting in his homeland of the United Kingdom. Gamblers believe the home crowd will propel Warrington to success.
On the other hand, bargain hunters are looking hard at the defending champ. Sharps love to take a quality dog in the ring. Especially when that underdog is a reigning champion.
Kiko Martinez Record and Form
Overall, Kiko Martinez has a career record of 43 wins, ten losses, and two draws. Martinez has 30 career knockouts and has four knockout losses. “La Sensation” is ranked 10th in the world. In sum, Martinez, age 36, stands at five feet, five inches tall with a reach of 66 inches, and fights from an orthodox stance.
The last time in the ring for Kiko Martinez was a technical knockout win over Kid Galahad on November 13, 2021. The fight took place at Sheffield Arena in Sheffield. Previously, Martinez faced Jayro Duran on September 11, 2021, in Barcelona. Martinez scored a unanimous decision win in the 8-round bout. The two wins helped ease the sting of February 13, 2021, unanimous decision loss to Zelfa Barrett.
Josh Warrington Record and Form
Josh Warrington, age 31, is ranked 9th in the world. On the whole, Warrington has a Boxing odds career record of 30 wins, one loss, and one draw. Warrington has seven career knockout wins and suffered one knockout loss. To summarize, Warrington stands at five feet, seven inches tall with a reach of 67 inches, and fights from an orthodox stance.
Last time out, Warrington faced Mauricio Lara on September 4, 2021, at the Headingley Rugby Stadium in Leeds. It was the second consecutive matchup for Warrington against Lara. The first time was on February 13, 2021, at Wembley Arena in Wembley. Lara scored a 9th round technical knockout win. Warrington had never lost a fight until that matchup. And then, in the rematch, the bout was stopped in the 2nd round. Lara was cut over his left eye in an accidental head clash.
Kiko Martinez vs. Josh Warrington SBG Free Pick
On this occasion, Kiko Martinez makes for an excellent contrarian bet. Martinez is a proven champion with the credibility that comes with that. Counter to that is a possible overlay price on Josh Warrington.
Martinez vs. Warrington SBG Free Pick: Kiko Martinez.