JOSH WARRINGTON will RETIRE if he loses his rematch with Kiko Martinez, Eddie Hearn said.
Warrington in 2017 beat the Spaniard on the way to winning the IBF featherweight title.
Josh Warrington could retire if he loses his rematch with Kiko Martinez rematch
Now, fast forward almost five years and the pair are back at the First Direct Arena in Leeds – with their careers arguably on the line.
Hearn told Boxing Social: “To be honest with you, if Josh Warrington loses on Saturday night, he retires from boxing.
“So, that’s a scary thought when you love something.
“Can you imagine if the pressure was on you in this interview with me, and this was the last interview that if you didn’t get this right, your days of interviewing what be over.
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“That’s a lot of pressure. Could you handle that pressure? If you love to do something and they say, ‘If you lose this, it’s over.’
“That’s a scary thought because what else are you going to do in your life when you’ve given so much like something like this?
“Both of those guys are not only fighting for a world title but to hold on to what they love, and that’s why you’re going to get a great fight.”
Warrington, 31, signed with Hearn in the hopes of securing a mega-fight in the US and vacated his title to do so.
He returned in a behind-closed-doors tune-up bout in February 2021 and was knocked out by Mexican underdog Mauricio Lara, 24.
Their rematch in September then ended in a no-contest following an accidental cut to Lara.
Meanwhile, Martinez, 36, came back from the brink of defeat in November to knock out Kid Galahad, 32.
It saw him win the world title again and set up a previously unthinkable rematch with Warrington.
Hearn said: “Warrington is never in a bad fight, and really nor is Kiko.
“I think touch wood, we get a brilliant fight, and touch wood everyone comes out healthy.
“I love Kiko, but, of course, I’m cheering for Josh Warrington for the 12,000 crazy fans in Leeds, but with respect to both, may the best man win.”
IBF featherweight champion Kiko Martinez
