Mauricio Lara vs Josh Warrington 2 – Results & Post Fight Report

Josh Warrington’s bid for revenge against Mauricio Lara ended in disappointment, as an ugly clash of heads saw the rematch called a technical draw after two rounds at the Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds.

Lara dealt Warrington a first professional defeat in February, when he stunningly halted the former IBF featherweight champion in nine rounds, but the sequel ended inconclusively.

A nasty clash of heads in the second left Lara’s left eye a mess, and the pair exchanged with both having their successes. At the end of the round, it was clear that Lara’s cut was a nasty one, and with his cheek also showing signs of swelling, the fight was called off on the advice of the ringside doctor.

Katie Taylor defended her undisputed world lightweight title, knocking down Jennifer Han on the way to a routine points win. The Irishwoman kept hold of her WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO crowns comfortably, flooring her challenger in the eighth which was more a flash one than anything. Taylor was her usual dominant self, and three scores of 100-89 reflected the champions dominance.

Conor Benn maintained his unbeaten record, and retained his WBA continental welterweight title, with a largely forgettable decision win against the unambitious Adrian Granados. When Granados let his hands go, he connected cleanly with Benn, but he lacked the true drive to turn his successes into a fight winning effort. This played into Benn’s hands, and he took advantage to stay out of the firing line, and in control to take the win by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93.

Maxi Hughes‘ Cinderella story continued as he expertly wrenched the IBO Lightweight title from Jovanni Straffon. Straffon had taken the title inside a round against the dangerous puncher James Tennyson in May, but Hughes stayed out of danger, and controlled the action in the main, to record an impressive unanimous decision win. Hughes nearly had the Mexican out in the fifth, but the champion somehow survived, and two scores of 120-107, and a third at 119-109 reflected a superb night’s work for the Yorkshireman.

Fan favourite Ebanie Bridges very nearly came a cropper in her bantamweight contest with France’s Mailys Gangloff, but managed to scrape to a win by a single point over eight rounds. Gangloff looked to have done enough to take the win, but referee Steve Gray saw differently, adjudging the Aussie a 77-76 winner.

Hopey Price again impressed, taking the IBO International super bantamweight title with a stunning second round win against Zahid Hussein. Hussein was dropped right at the end of the opening frame, but managed to cut price in a wild start to the second, before hitting the deck once more. A follow up attack on the resumption handed Price an impressive win.

Jack Bateson delighted his home crowd, as he took a 58-56 win against Felix Garcia at super bantamweight, but he had to get up off the floor on round two, while at super welterweight, Brandon Stansfield took all four rounds against MJ Hall.

Debutant Mali Wright forced Antony Woolery to retire after two rounds of their scheduled light heavyweight four rounder.