The Leeds Arena has been a fortress for Josh Warrington since his first outing there in 2014. 

Prior to Saturday, it was 11 fights, 11 victories, six title wins - including BOTH of his crowning nights as world champion.
 
This isn’t just any fortress either, it is one built on noise and passion. When you stand opposite Warrington, you don’t just face him, you face his people. 

Public Enemy No. 1 for fight number 12 was Luis Alberto Lopez. Any Mexican who finds his way to our shores comes with a fear factor that leaves British boxing fans quaking. 

Warrington knows this better than anyone. 

It seems like only yesterday that in a soulless Wembley Arena, an unknown, bulldog Mexican by the name of Mauricio Lara left his mark on the featherweight division. 

A lot has happened since then. Josh’s chance at revenge was blown apart like the scar tissue above Lara’s eye. He did eventually recapture his IBF world title, as Kiko Martinez was dispatched in a thriller in March.

Yet still the lucrative unifications and that bucket list American dream have still managed to avoid Josh. He is never one to lose focus, but beat Lopez, and he knew he was in touching distance of those rewards. 

After the most heart-breaking of England World Cup exits, Leeds found its voice again and sang their man to the ring. 

Josh is never a man to hold fire on his punches. So, when the first bell was met with a direct march to centre ring, followed by a wave of assertive jabs, it looked as if Lopez would be asked to fend off an early storm. However, Josh’s intent was quickly matched, and some unorthodox swings found the Leeds man walking back to the corner with a bloody nose. 

A fun start then, and perhaps a warning of some sort for Josh too. Lopez continued to counter the jabs as we ran the second, with some connecting with Josh, and some connecting with the Leeds Arena air. 

Then came the head clash…

It was accidental, and after receiving treatment Lopez was fine to continue. A collective sigh of relief in the arena. We didn’t need that outcome again. 

Josh was definitely more wary of the threat in round three. He did find openings, but so did Lopez. Back and forth was the pattern, and it was an entertaining pattern at that. 

Lopez started round four quickly, and despite the cut looked comfortable setting the pace. Warrington on the other hand looked as if he was chasing the intensity that usually sets opponents on their heels. 

However, what he does have is the experience of these occasions.

In round five the pace had dipped slightly. Josh still threw his combinations with a feverish tempo, but he was smarter in his approach. Whilst some rounds seemed hard to score, this one was a definite tick for Josh.

Round six and Josh landed a huge left hook which Lopez just shrugged off. The half-way point was met with a spurring roar from the home crowd. They knew this was close, and that every inch of encouragement could help swing the direction of the fight.

Josh landed a peach of a right in the seventh and for the first time Lopez was looking to hold. Both men - clearly feeling the effects of the lightning quick opening rounds - spent periods sat off each other content with the break from war. 

Lopez took centre ring in round eight and continued throwing at the body. If some rounds were close, this wasn’t one of them. Lopez took it and took it well. 

Josh did respond with what we can only assume was the help of his second wind. He forced Lopez back to the ropes, trying to sit on the Mexican’s chest and disturb his rhythm. Lopez complained about a low blow for which he was given a time out. 

You can guess how that went down. 

Round 10 and both men must have known they were split by a hair. Lopez lands to the body, Josh lands to the head. It was exhaustive to watch. I can only imagine how they felt.

As the bell sounded for round 11, Lopez entered territory unknown. He had never been the distance beyond a 10-rounder, and he was about to experience so at the highest of levels. 

And for three minutes you could tell! Josh landed some flush shots to body and head. Lopez looked to the referee in appeal, but he wasn’t being punched out of line, he was just standing in the middle of Storm Warrington. 

Lopez made it, but not without a wobble. 

To the end we went. Lopez tried to hold… and hold… and hold… clearly craving the ringing of that final bell. Warrington must have sensed he needed either a big finish or the stoppage as he swung for the hills. He landed, but it didn’t come. The final bell was rung. 

114-114… 115-113 x2… and the new.

It was heartbreak for Josh Warrington as the division crowned a new world champion. 

So not the ending he or his faithful support would have wanted. Lopez was emotional as he stood on the turn buckle, waving his nation’s flag. 

It was another night to remember for a Mexican on British territory. 

For Josh, a sickening blow. Maybe even one he feels is unjust. However, for as long as he doesn’t hang up his gloves, he will have avenues of opportunity.

A stadium fight with Leigh Wood? Mick Conlan at MSG? Write the wrongs of Saturday? 

Whatever it is, they will follow. 

Oscar Bevis 

Official reporter for iFL TV