SM
Cagliari vs. Juventus: 13 hrs 7 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Josh Warrington KOs Sofiane Takoucht in round two to defend title

:Headline: Result: Josh Warrington KOs Sofiane Takoucht in round two to defend title: ID:374844: from db_amp
The Briton extended his record to 30-0.

Josh Warrington cruised to a dominant second-round knockout victory in his IBF world featherweight title defence against France's Sofiane Takoucht in Leeds.

Warrington was determined to make amends for his scrappy split-decision victory over Kid Galahad in June and was expected to struggle against the veteran southpaw, who came into the fight with 35 wins from his 39 bouts.

But the Leeds fighter shone from the the opening bell in front of his home crowd at the First Direct Arena and showed why he is one of the leading boxers at the nine-stone division after extending his perfect record to 30-0.

Warrington set his sights on becoming Leeds's first unified world champion after his comfortable knockout victory and is ready to travel anywhere around the globe to fulfil his dream.

Speaking to BT Sport, Warrington said: "I've made history at Elland Road – Leeds's first world champion. It would be nice to be Leeds's first unified world champion at Elland Road and after that, we will go travelling all over the world. We will go on tour.

"I've made it very clear. My first defence was Carl Frampton, my second fight was the mandatory challenger. I'm open to any of them. I'm leaving my options open and anyone who wants it, I'm here.

"I've got to face the best in the business, not just in the country but the world. And I know these lot (the fans) will go wherever I want. Everyone has the passports at the ready.

"So I can say just a massive thank you to the fans. Be ready, 2020, I'm coming for you all."

In the fight, Takoucht's awkward style saw Warrington initially struggle for his range before the defending champion pinned his French challenger against the ropes with a fine four-shot combination.

Josh Warrington, left, sent out a daunting message to his challenger after his IBF world featherweight title defence (Richard Sellers/PA)

Warrington then landed a flush right hand just before the bell rang at the end of the first round and it was one-way traffic thereafter.

Warrington increased the intensity as he swamped all over Takoucht, with the 33-year-old struggling to keep the Yorkshireman at bay.

A left to the head and right to the body saw Takoucht hit the canvas for the first time before Warrington fired another barrage of hooks to send his challenger crashing down again with over a minute to go in the second round.

Takoucht was scrambling to hold off another onslaught as Warrington sensed blood but the referee stepped in and waved off the contest to the eruption of the Leeds crowd.

Josh Warrington celebrates defeating Sofiane Takoucht (Richard Sellers/PA)

Warrington admitted his scrappy fight against Galahad last time was a "wake-up call" and he had to be fierce against his French challenger after missing out on a unification fight.

"There was nothing personal between myself and Takoucht but I think I took my frustration on not getting the unification shot and it was a nice day at the office," he said.

"It just shows that everything we have been working on has worked. The last fight gave us all a wake-up call. We have worked against southpaws in the last few weeks and I'm glad it paid off.

“I think I took my frustration on not getting the unification shot and it was a nice day at the office”
- Josh Warrington

"The fans are fantastic. Always turn out in their numbers, support me through thick and thin and I can only repay them with a top performance."

Warrington listed Oscar Valdez and Leo Santa Cruz as possible next opponents, despite their intentions to move up to super featherweight.

China's Can Xu, who holds the WBA 'regular' world featherweight strap, is the most likely candidate for Warrington, while he also hinted at unifying against WBC champion Gary Russell Jr or taking on fellow American Shakur Stevenson, who is fighting Joet Gonzalez for the WBO belt later this month.

amp_article__374844 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-10-13 02:23:21:
html db last update - 2021-03-07 10:42:34 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .