Josh Warrington vs Mauricio Lara 2 LIVE: Result, latest updates, reaction after cut forces technical draw
The Leeds Warrior was denied a chance at redemption after the Mexican suffered a severe cut inside two rounds
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Your support makes all the difference.Josh Warrington‘s big Headingley comeback fell flat as his fight against Mauricio Lara was declared a technical draw after two rounds.
Warrington opened an injury around Lara’s left eye via an accidental head-butt, and the Mexican was deemed unfit to continue by the ringside doctor.
The news was greeted with groans by the 20,000-capacity crowd at the home of Leeds Rhinos who had turned up in the hope that Warrington would gain revenge for his knockout defeat by the same fighter in May.
The rules stipulate that with less than four rounds completed, the officials have no option but to declare a draw rather than go to the scorecards.
It proved an enormous anti-climax for Warrington, who had headed into the rematch in the knowledge that another defeat would effectively scupper his hopes of some day shining on the other side of the Atlantic, if not end his career itself.
But for all his insistence he would not make the mistake of overlooking Lara a second time, his pre-fight media commitments were still peppered with Stateside ambitions and dismissals of his domestic featherweight rivals.
Whilst it was admirable of Warrington to agree to step straight back in against an opponent who vanquished him so comprehensively seven months ago, it was also an engagement borne of necessity in the context of those future plans.
Warrington‘s previous reversal to Lara was no lucky punch, but a loss that required plenty of soul-searching and a completely revised game-plan prior to his high-profile reappearance in front of his adoring home city fans.
Having surrendered his unbeaten record behind closed doors at promoter Eddie Hearn’s Fight Camp, Warrington‘s hope to glean extra motivation from his thousands of raucous supporters also heaped additional pressure on such a crucial career assignment.
Warrington started well, landing much the cleaner work in the opener, although his best shots had no discernible effect on his opponent, and suggested a worrying willingness to trade.
Lara was already complaining about Warrington‘s use of the head prior to a pivotal moment midway through the second, when a clash left Lara reeling with blood around his left eye and requiring extra time to recover in his corner.
The Leeds man was warned about his use of the head in an equally action-packed second, which ended with the ringside doctor taking a long look and instructing the official to call the contest off.
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Taylor vs Han: Round 1
It’s a Taylor round, and the Irish fighter looks to establish her class.
Han looks eager to flick out her jab and is certainly not running though.
Hearn: Broner can be next for Benn
“Perfect fight for him, he’ll be frustrated.
“People like Granados feel the power and want to survive.
“That was a solid 10 rounds in the bank.
“Now we move onto a big fight in December.”
Benn reacts to Granados win
“Very frustrating, he was talking about coming together like trucks. He ran the whole fight.
“You know when a Mexican doesn’t want to engage then you can dig.
“Leeds, you lot are incredible. Thank you for your support, honestly I’ve never had a welcome like it.
“I need to headline here.”
Benn UD Granados
Benn gets the win on points: 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93.
A great learning experience.
Benn vs Granados: The view from ringside
Our reporter Tom Kershaw is ringside at Headingley, here’s how he saw it: “Benn began this bout a little wildly, eager to repeat his last spectacular knockout, and Granados was able to pre-empt his lunging right hands.
“The Briton's pressure is beginning to tell now, though, and he's in a clear ascendancy heading into the tenth round.”
Benn vs Granados: Round 10
Can Benn rally late? More nice jabs from Granados to the body, he’s measured and calm as he circles around to his right.
Now Benn trapped against the ropes, Granados piles on the pressure, but not a lot getting home.
This is precious experience for Benn, it’s not been a thriller, but to bank these rounds and experience what it’s like to grow in frustration, he can work on plenty after this one.
Granados plays matador at the end of the round, Benn storms ahead like a bull and the American jokes to the crowd: “Ole”
The pair then exchange bombs with Benn on the ropes. He’s livid at the end of the fight, screaming at Granados to bring it.
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“That’s the best one there is. Another underdog against a Mexican monster. He did a big job against Tennyson.
“If Eddie can sort it [against Devin Haney], I’m happy to go to his back garden, let’s get it.”
Benn vs Granados: Round 9
Benn still shooting the straight right with power, but Granados is moving away from the shots well.
They’re never quite landing clean.
Granados still looking to capitalise when Benn loads up by tagging him to the body.
It’s clever stuff, even if he’s not going to damage Benn too much. That could be a Granados round.
Benn vs Granados: Round 7
Granados cannot seem to dent Benn.
But he’s moving well and able to slip away from these bursts.
Benn chasing and might be looking to work on closing the ring off.
Or his defence? He attracts Granados onto him in the middle of the ring, and he lets his hands drop, pivoting out of the way of a flurry of shots. Barely any land, showing a bit of a slicker side to Benn.
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