JOSH WARRINGTON is in line to fight former IBF super-bantamweight champion Kiko Martinez at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on May 13.
The unbeaten featherweight contender was scheduled to fight Marco McCullough, but after that fell through attempts are being made to secure a deal with Martinez.
The Spaniard’s team confirmed to Boxing News that talks are ongoing – and that they want the fight to happen – while Warrington’s promoter, Frank Warren, also clarified the negotiations.
“I think it’s a good fight for Josh, a better fight for him. We’re waiting to hear back on the contracts at the moment,” he told BN.
“Josh is already No 1 contender [with the WBC] and we’re also waiting to hear back from the Sanigars about a fight with [IBF featherweight champion] Lee Selby as well.”
Martinez is best known in the UK for having lost to Carl Frampton (twice) and Scott Quigg. He won the IBF super-bantam title in 2013 but was relieved of it by Frampton in 2014.
Last February he was stopped in five by WBA featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz. Since then he has drawn with Eusebio Osejo and outpointed Leonel Hernandez.
Warrington last fought in July when he stopped Patrick Hyland inside nine rounds in his Leeds stronghold. Since that win he has parted ways with Matchroom Boxing and joined Warren’s Queensbury stable, following Frank’s landmark broadcast deal with BT Sport.
Double Olympic champion Nicola Adams will make her professional debut on the undercard in Leeds.
