Lara-Warrington II ends in 2nd-round tech. draw after brutal accidental head butt

Taylor easily retains undisputed title; Benn cruises past Granados

There was no repeat or revenge in the rematch between Mauricio Lara and former featherweight world titlist Josh Warrington on Saturday.

Instead, there was a two-round technical draw in a fight that was just beginning to heat up when it was suddenly short circuited because of a terrible cut over Lara’s left eye from an accidental clash of heads in the second round.

“I’m absolutely gutted,” a disappointed Warrington said. “All these people paid their hard-earned money, wanted to see me get redemption tonight and these things happen.”

A raucous crowd of some 20,000 had turned out at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Warrington’s hometown of Leeds, England, for the first major boxing event with spectators in the United Kingdom since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

They had come to witness Warrington’s attempt to avenge a shocking and brutal ninth-round knockout loss to unheralded Lara in a major upset on Feb. 13 in London.

Soon after the defeat, Warrington, who suffered shoulder and jaw injuries, exercised his right to an immediate rematch. But when they met again the fight was over before either man had a chance to really get going.

Warrington appeared to be more patient and defensively responsible than he was in the first fight. All through the buildup to the rematch, Warrington said he was taking Lara more seriously than he had the first time, when he faced him after having vacated his world title rather than making a mandatory defense in a rematch with Kid Galahad. Warrington was expected to easily beat Lara and then move on to a fight for another organization’s world title.

This time around, Warrington (30-1-1, 7 KOs), 30, landed some sharp right hands in the opening round but Lara (23-2-1, 16 KOs), 23, of Mexico, also got in some solid shots. The was beginning to heat up in the second round when Warrington came in low looking to counter Lara, and when he came up their heads collided, opening gash across Lara’s left eyelid.

When the round ended, Lara’s cutman went to work, but the ringside doctor was peering into the corner looking at it. Just as the third round was about to begin, the doctor conferred with referee Steve Gray, who then called off the DAZN main event upon the doctor’s advice.

“I thought I opened him up with a punch. I’m absolutely gutted,” Warrington said.

Video replays clearly showed their heads coming together and the cut opening.

“We had a game plan to go by, a bit more defensively sound. I feel with this crowd here I was temped and eager to get into a bit of a scrap, put on a performance,” Warrington said. “But that was always gonna come at some point. I feel I was on my way.”

He said he definitely wants the third fight with Lara and Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn concurred.

“I need to get the slate clean, I need to get a W,” Warrington said. “After I sat down after the first round I thought this is mine for the taking. I could see myself having an early night, but not this kind of scenario. I’m absolutely gutted. Weeks and weeks of promotion, all these people come out to be part of it and I’m just sorry. I can only apologize. We’ll have out redemption eventually.

“I felt like crying when it got waved off because I know disappointed the crowd would be.”

Hearn got a good look at the cut and knew the right decision had been made to stop the bout.

“The cut was absolutely horrific,” Hearn said. “I didn’t think it was when he went back to the corner. I almost felt Lara was looking for a way out of the fight. They called the doctor in, but the cut was absolutely horrific. It was right across the eyelid from start to the end and, unfortunately, there was no way he could continue. The atmosphere was so good and the ring walk was one of the best I’ve ever seen. I wanted to see more rounds.

“It’s never happened to me before like that in a main event and I’m gutted for Josh and people come out tonight and had a great night, but we really wanted to see that fight unfold because it was building up into a thriller. I’d still love to that fight again and I think (Warrington) would love to do that fight because he’d love to wipe the slate clean, but there other options out there for Josh Warrington.”

Hearn said he can see Warrington fighting again before the end of the year against somebody else before looking to make the third fight.

“We’ll see how long Mauricio Lara takes to heal up. I’d like to get Josh Warrington back in the ring as soon as possible,” Hearn said. “He’s fresh. He’s done two rounds tonight. I don’t know where that will be but that cut’s gonna take months to heal. Lara’s gonna be out for six months. I’d like to see Josh back in the ring if that’s possible and then we’ll look to do that that third fight early next year.”

Taylor retains undisputed title

In the co-feature, undisputed women’s lightweight world champion Katie Taylor rolled to a shutout decision over IBF mandatory challenger Jennifer Han in a fight with little drama or action.

Taylor made her 11th title defense, winning 100-89 on all three scorecards against Han (18-4-1, 1 KO), 38, of El Paso, Texas, a former featherweight world titlist, who was game but simply outclassed.

Taylor (19-0, 6 KOs), 35, of Ireland, was clearly the heavier puncher, backing Han up at times with clean shots. In the eighth round, Taylor scored a knockdown with a left hand.

According to CompuBox statistics, Taylor landed 93 of 340 punches (27 percent) and Han connected with 66 of 338 (20 percent).

Taylor has cleaned out the 135-pound division. There does not seem to be any significant fight there for her other than if unified featherweight titleholder Amanda Serrano moves up in weight, which is a possibility. That’s a fight that has been discussed for the past few years.

Undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill, who was ringside, might loom as another possibility for Taylor, who has moved up as high as junior welterweight, where she won a belt before vacating it to return to lightweight.

“I’m willing to fight anyone,” Taylor said. “I want to be in the biggest fights possible.”

Benn routs Granados

Welterweight up-and-comer Conor Benn had some frustrations as he had to track down an Adrian Granados who was unwilling to engage much, but in the end Benn got the job done in good fashion for the most notable victory of his career.

Benn won by scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93, a no-doubt-about it victory against a vastly experienced opponent, who has faced many big names, including in losses to Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter and Adrien Broner.

“It was very frustrating,” said Benn, the son of British boxing legend Nigel Benn. “I mean, he was talking like we’re gonna come together like Mack trucks and it’s gonna be a great fight for the fans, and he was on his bike the whole fight. So, I was ready to go toe to toe and let him have it. I had to hunt him down, which is what I done.”

The 24-year-old Benn (19-0, 12 KOs), of England, and Granados (21-9-3, 15 KOs), 32, of Chicago, were originally scheduled to headline a “Fight Camp” card on July 31, but the bout was postponed on short notice when Benn came down with Covid-19.

He showed no lingering issues from the coronavirus in a dominating performance in which he gained valuable experience, got in rounds and surely learned that not every opponent will fall when he lands a powerful right hand.

Benn started quickly and landed some hard shots to the head and body in the first round, which may have given Granados pause about mixing it up. He came forward but very sporadically while Benn was constantly on the attack and looking to apply pressure and let his hands go.

According to CompuBox statistics, Benn landed 152 of 460 punches (33 percent) and Granados landed 99 of 429 (23 percent). Benn outlanded him in eight of the 10 rounds.

Hearn said he expects Benn to be back in the ring before the end of the year with faded former four-division titlist Adrien Broner, who still has a big name, a possible opponent.

“That was a solid 10 rounds in the bank and now we move on for a big fight in December,” Hearn said.

Photos: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

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