Josh Warrington – Mauricio Lara: The battle ends in a technical tie after a head-to-head battle

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Mauricio Lara sustained an injury at the end of the fight above his left eye during the second round

The return match between Josh Warrington and Mauricio Lara ended in a technical tie after the Mexican suffered a major injury above his left eye after hitting his head in the second round.

The doctor waved in the first row of the bout because Lara’s corner couldn’t stop the bleeding from his blast wound.

It was a huge disappointment for both fighters after an abrupt start to a party rally in Leeds.

Lara won her fight in February for the IBF World Featherweight title.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Warrington said he was “extremely disappointed” with the outcome.

“I’m so confused, I don’t know what to say. I honestly felt like I could burst into tears when the referee waved,” he said.

“I thought I caught him in the first round and I thought I could see Nick in there and he kept aiming at him. When I dived there was a headfight and I’m absolutely devastated.”

In an attempt to avenge his only professional defeat, Leeds-born Warrington was beating 20,000 fans at Headingley.

With a steel focus that seemed to have missed him in their last encounter, the 30-year-old landed a big right and then a close combination of ropes in the opening round.

Lara, 23, held on to the early attack and shot with his own powerful right as the match started to heat up.

But with no four rounds left, the competition had to be decided in a draw, with both fighters and their supporters leaving disappointed.

Warrington added: “I sat after the first round and thought to myself, ‘How did this guy fire me?

“I wanted to put on a show for the audience, we had some game plans but I’m disappointed.

“You go in a whirlpool of feelings in the locker room and start doubting yourself and then convince yourself that you are the best in the world.

“After the first round, I thought ‘wonderful I see everything’ I thought I could dictate the fight.”

Josh Warrington dumps a mix in the first round ‘We were denied a really great fight’

“Both fighters will be destroyed,” British world champion Savannah Marshall told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“We were denied a really great fight on a really great night. I think Lara knew, right after the first head-on, he hit the beat right away.”

BBC Radio 5 live commentator Steve Ponce added: “No one can get upset, that’s what happens in boxing. Josh Warrington’s career is back on track somewhat, but there’s an asterisk associated with it.”

“If they fight again, it’ll be in May, maybe it’s Eland Road, it might have to be 50K and I’ll have some of that.”

hero story

Earlier, Ireland’s Katie Taylor tightened her grip on women’s boxing by defeating American Jennifer Hahn on points.

Taylor remains the undisputed world lightweight champion even though the former featherweight world champion Han made some clever movement to make life difficult early on.

The 35-year-old started to find her combo and won 100-89 on all three judges’ cards to claim her 19th professional win.

Meanwhile, British welterweight Conor Bean maintained his unbeaten professional record with a points win over American Adrian Granados.

The Briton, frustrated when Granados sought to dodge punches, won 100-90, 99-91, 97-93 on the cards.

Benn was rewarded for dropping the bigger shots while trying to take the fight to his elusive opponent.

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