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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Conor Benn proves he’s the new British attraction but his real journey starts now
Benn vs Granados: Round 6
Will Benn’s power carry into the late rounds?
We’re through six rounds and Benn is well up on my card, but Granados has definitely shown a different side to The Destroyer.
Benn vs Granados: Round 5
The jab for Benn is impressing, it’s setting everything up, as Andy Lee points out.
Granados able to skip away still, but Benn moving with ease and still no signs of fatigue.
Benn has landed 24 body punches to Granados’ 8.
Benn vs Granados: Round 3
A bit more coming back now from Granados, a neat one-two has Benn skipping away.
He burst straight back with the overhand right, but Granados is throwing and jumping back out of range.
These are Benn rounds, but Granados isn’t daunted at all.
This one could get interesting!
And just like that, bang! A left hook lands hard on Granados.
Benn vs Granados: Round 2
Benn pivoting at the hips, then a bit wild as he swings on the way up.
Nothing major landing yet, Granados getting a good look up against the ropes. A slip sees him touch down.
Now they’re up close and personal, Benn whipping them into the body. The American is jabbing to Benn’s body when he’s not moving away from the shots.
It looks like the tactic is to take Benn into the mid-rounds and see what he’s spent by then.
Benn vs Granados: Round 1
Here we go, Benn swinging early, vicious overhand rights.
Benn is sharp, he’s loading up, Granados briefly stunned by a jab too as he circles around the ropes.
A cracking atmosphere here at Headingley, big support for Benn.
Benn jabbing before a feint with the right, Granados skipping away on the backfoot and out of range so far, he looks happy enough after one.
Bellew: Benn will be tested if this lasts more than four rounds
“After four rounds, if Granados absorbs the attack, this will be a really interesting fight and he could make it a hard night for Conor. We need to see Conor in a hard fight that goes beyond five rounds.”
Hughes outpoints Straffon by UD
That’s a huge win for Hughes, he dominates on all three of the judges’ scorecards.
120-107, 120-107 and 119-109 to the local man, Straffon had no answer!
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