Sean O'Hagan expects Josh Warrington to chase American dream after beating Kiko Martinez

By Mark Walker
Published 27th Mar 2022, 11:05 BST
Updated 27th Mar 2022, 11:08 BST
AND THE NEW: Josh Warrington, centre, with father and trainer Sean O'Hagan pictured to his left. Picture: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.AND THE NEW: Josh Warrington, centre, with father and trainer Sean O'Hagan pictured to his left. Picture: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.
AND THE NEW: Josh Warrington, centre, with father and trainer Sean O'Hagan pictured to his left. Picture: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.
Josh Warrington’s father and trainer Sean O’Hagan expects his son to chase his American dream after regaining the IBF featherweight title.

Warrington became a two-time world champion in thrilling fashion at the Leeds Arena on Saturday night, silencing his doubters with a stunning seventh-round stoppage of tough Spaniard Kiko Martinez.

The Leeds Warrior, who regained the IBF belt he first won by defeating Lee Selby in 2018 and vacated 14 months ago, did not come through unscathed as he was later taken to hospital with a broken jaw.

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O’Hagan said: “I think what this does, it gives us options now doesn’t it?

RELIEF: For Josh Warrington as he reclaims the IBF title. Picture: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.RELIEF: For Josh Warrington as he reclaims the IBF title. Picture: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.
RELIEF: For Josh Warrington as he reclaims the IBF title. Picture: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.

“Josh has always expressed an interest in going abroad to fight in Las Vegas, or maybe New York.

“But there again, we’ve got [WBA champion] Leigh Wood in the equation haven’t we? We’ve got [WBC champion] Mark Magsayo, the possibilities now are numerous.”

Warrington had slipped down the pecking order after his previous two fights in 2021, which ended in a shock first career defeat to Mauricio Lara and then a technical draw in a rematch against the Mexican.