Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington Predictions, Odds, Picks

• Josh Warrington won on points when these two met in 2017
• Kiko Martinez is the current IBF world featherweight champion
• Josh Warrington is the former IBF world champion

Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington Odds

Below you’ll find the current fight-winner betting odds offered by Caesars Sportsbook. These quotes are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change between now and the first bell on Saturday.

There will also be in-play betting available, allowing you to gamble even after the fight has begun.

The re-match is on as current IBF world champion Kiko Martinez from Spain makes the first defence of his title against former champion Josh Warrington of the United Kingdom. This bout will be staged at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, and the venue will be packed to capacity by loyal followers of the Leeds Warrior. The majority of the crowd are there to see Warrington win the title and get his career back on track. Still, Martinez is no stranger to causing an upset on English soil and will return to the UK confident in his ability to do it again.

Warrington enters without a win in his last two bouts but will hear the opening bell of this contest as the hot favourite with all respected bookmakers. Despite enjoying the crowds’ backing and the bookies, Josh knows the pressure is on him to win this contest, more so than he has faced in any of his previous 33 professional outings. Having failed to win his last two starts – a stoppage defeat and a technical draw with Mexican Mauricio Lara, both in Leeds – Warrington is running out of time. If that painful winless run extends to three fights, his future in the game could be at stake, certainly as a force in the featherweight division.

The pre-fight betting odds would suggest this will be one-way traffic on fight night with the odds all about Warrington. Many traders working at the top betting apps believe this is a case of how Josh wins, rather than if, and that could prove to be a costly error. Martinez won the IBF title by knocking out Kid Galahad last time, an English opponent who supporters believed was a cut above both Martinez and Warrington. Kiko reminded them and us that nothing can be taken for granted in this sport, landing a solid right hand in round six to dethrone the former champion. He’ll be after more of the same in this contest.

Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington Pick

Josh Warrington to win on points (-149)

Here we have a fight involving two great boxers with championship experience. Martinez may have shocked the world last time when stopping Galahad, but it certainly wasn’t a lucky punch. He beat an opponent with a size, reach and weight advantage, having come in heavier than the featherweight limit on the scales. The attack that ended Kid’s reign that night was timed to perfection, and it was ruthless. It showed exactly what Kiko is capable of when given the chance. When the Spaniard has his man hurt, he possesses the finisher’s instinct to close the fight. If he gets a similar opportunity against Warrington, he’ll deal with the Englishman in similar fashion.

The challenger knows he must beware here. He knows Kiko has power and can take him out in the blink of an eye. Josh must be at his best. He must have done the weight right, be over the disappointment of the last year and be in shape. Warrington must show us one of the best displays of his career if he is to walk away with the world championship belt. The pressure is all on Josh, from the capacity crowd to the fear of dropping further down the rankings if he goes three fights without a win.

Thankfully for the home crowd, Warrington has the skills and experience to get the job done. He was poor against Lara, but that seemed to have more to do with his weight than his class. The technical draw with the Mexican last time was just unlucky, and there’s no point dwelling on that. Warrington must look to the future. He beat Martinez on points in 2017 and should repeat the feat in 2022, although it will be a little more convincing this time.

Kiko Martinez is a great fighter who is as dangerous in the final round of a fight as he is in the opener. Having said that, the champion is now 36 years old, which is old for a featherweight, and he has been in his fair share of tough fights over the years. Martinez made his professional debut back in 2004 and has now boxed over 325 pro rounds. That will now be catching up with him, and although I said that before he beat Galahad, I am happy to stick with that.

Warrington hasn’t been at his best for a while now, but the defeat and draw in his record were both inflicted by Lara. He will be glad to see the back of the Mexican for now, but it’s likely the pair will complete the trilogy later this year, especially if Warrington has a world title belt around his waist. The Brit can’t look beyond Martinez, but if he is at his best and boxes the way his supporters know he can, he will have enough quality to win the title.

How to Watch Kiko Martinez vs Josh Warrington