Josh Warrington and Mauricio Lara fight ends in DRAW, after headbutt causes severe cut to Mexican's left eye

JOSH WARRINGTON'S chance at redemption was ruined when he accidentally headbutted his way into a technical draw against Maurico Lara.

The father-of-2, aged 30, took part in a tune up fight with an unknown Mexican man last February. He suffered his first serious defeat in his entire career.

He jumped back in the fire, but was burned by Steve Gray, the referee. Lara suffered a terrible gash after a clash of heads caused Lara to lose six minutes.

Warrington stated: "All these people wanted me to get redemption tonight.

"I thought I had opened him up with a punch in round one, but it was a clash between styles. My head hit him."

"I am absolutely devastated."

The 9th ace, who was in a quiet Wembley arena in the middle of the terrible lockdown, was dropped heavily in the fourth. He survived to a round nine KO.

The ex-IBF 9st king couldn't leave his home for weeks and was too ashamed to shop with his wife.

Warrington was able to get back in the gym after a pep-talk video with Anthony Joshua. He had suffered a similar shock in 2019 against Andy Ruiz Jr.

The Elland Road regular's Yorkshire pride convinced his to take an instant match with the 23-year old banger. He could have plotted his path back to a world title along much easier tracks.

Lara instead took off his poncho, and howled into Headingley, content to be the least popular man in the white-hot environment.

Warrington has lived up to his feather-fisted status, with only 7 KOs from 30 wins. However, his round-one right hand looked strong and capable.

The local legend got too excited in the second, and smashed his forehead into Lara’s eyebrow. Lara was shocked and quickly removed the gash.

Vaseline was used to stop the flow. The visitors' corner tried to stop it but the referee couldn't help but call it off.

Warrington said, "I wanted to perform and that was always going be at some point. I felt like I was really getting into the act."

"I understand that Eddie Hearn, my promoter, might be looking in other directions. But I have to clear the slate. I must get the W over him.

"Especially after the second round, I sat down to say "this is mine for you to take". I could see it as an early night, but not in this type of situation.

"Weeks and weeks of promotion, all these people came out, and I can only apologize, we will have to our redemption."