MX23RW : Sunday, August 8 19:17:08| >> :600:57516827:57516827:

Result: Josh Warrington KOs Sofiane Takoucht in round two to defend title

The Briton extended his record to 30-0.

Josh Warrington cruised to a dominant second-round knockout victory in his IBF world featherweight title defence against France's Sofiane Takoucht in Leeds.

Warrington was determined to make amends for his scrappy split-decision victory over Kid Galahad in June and was expected to struggle against the veteran southpaw, who came into the fight with 35 wins from his 39 bouts.

But the Leeds fighter shone from the the opening bell in front of his home crowd at the First Direct Arena and showed why he is one of the leading boxers at the nine-stone division after extending his perfect record to 30-0.

Warrington set his sights on becoming Leeds's first unified world champion after his comfortable knockout victory and is ready to travel anywhere around the globe to fulfil his dream.

Speaking to BT Sport, Warrington said: "I've made history at Elland Road – Leeds's first world champion. It would be nice to be Leeds's first unified world champion at Elland Road and after that, we will go travelling all over the world. We will go on tour.

"I've made it very clear. My first defence was Carl Frampton, my second fight was the mandatory challenger. I'm open to any of them. I'm leaving my options open and anyone who wants it, I'm here.

"I've got to face the best in the business, not just in the country but the world. And I know these lot (the fans) will go wherever I want. Everyone has the passports at the ready.

"So I can say just a massive thank you to the fans. Be ready, 2020, I'm coming for you all."

In the fight, Takoucht's awkward style saw Warrington initially struggle for his range before the defending champion pinned his French challenger against the ropes with a fine four-shot combination.

Josh Warrington sent out a daunting message to his challenger after his IBF world featherweight title defence
Josh Warrington, left, sent out a daunting message to his challenger after his IBF world featherweight title defence (Richard Sellers/PA)

Warrington then landed a flush right hand just before the bell rang at the end of the first round and it was one-way traffic thereafter.

Warrington increased the intensity as he swamped all over Takoucht, with the 33-year-old struggling to keep the Yorkshireman at bay.

A left to the head and right to the body saw Takoucht hit the canvas for the first time before Warrington fired another barrage of hooks to send his challenger crashing down again with over a minute to go in the second round.

Takoucht was scrambling to hold off another onslaught as Warrington sensed blood but the referee stepped in and waved off the contest to the eruption of the Leeds crowd.

First Direct Arena Boxing
Josh Warrington celebrates defeating Sofiane Takoucht (Richard Sellers/PA)

Warrington admitted his scrappy fight against Galahad last time was a "wake-up call" and he had to be fierce against his French challenger after missing out on a unification fight.

"There was nothing personal between myself and Takoucht but I think I took my frustration on not getting the unification shot and it was a nice day at the office," he said.

"It just shows that everything we have been working on has worked. The last fight gave us all a wake-up call. We have worked against southpaws in the last few weeks and I'm glad it paid off.

"The fans are fantastic. Always turn out in their numbers, support me through thick and thin and I can only repay them with a top performance."

Warrington listed Oscar Valdez and Leo Santa Cruz as possible next opponents, despite their intentions to move up to super featherweight.

China's Can Xu, who holds the WBA 'regular' world featherweight strap, is the most likely candidate for Warrington, while he also hinted at unifying against WBC champion Gary Russell Jr or taking on fellow American Shakur Stevenson, who is fighting Joet Gonzalez for the WBO belt later this month.

ID:374844: cacheID:374844:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8875:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
A bloodied Tyson Fury in action on September 14, 2019
Read Next:
Tyson Fury makes WWE debut on Monday Night Raw
>

rhs 2.0
Olympic medal table header
CountryGold medalSilver MedalBronze MedalT
United StatesUnited States394133113
ChinaChina38321888
JapanJapan27141758
Great BritainGreat Britain22212265
Olympics flagRussian Olympic Committee20282371
Today's Olympic highlights header

Sunday's key events


ATHLETICS
· With the track and field action now finished, the final athletics event of the Games is the men's marathon, which includes three British representatives and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge (11pm)

CYCLING
· Laura Kenny goes for a sixth Olympic gold medal, and a second of the Tokyo Games, in the women's omnium (2am-4.25am)
· Jason Kenny also has another shot at gold on the final day of action, taking part in the men's keirin alongside compatriot Jack Carlin (2.24am-4am)

BASKETBALL
· After the men once again picked up Olympic gold, the USA women will attempt to replicate their success in the gold medal match against hosts Japan (3.30am)

VOLLEYBALL
· USA also have a chance for gold in the women's volleyball final against Brazil (5.30am)

BOXING
· Lauren Price bids to bring a successful Games to a golden close for Britain in the ring as she takes on Li Qian in the women's middleweight final (6.45am)

HANDBALL
· The women's gold medal match sees the Russian Olympic Committee take on France (7am)

WATER POLO
· The final gold medal of the Games is likely to be handed out in water polo, when Greece face Serbia in the men's gold medal match (8.30am)

CLOSING CEREMONY
· A unique and memorable Olympic Games officially comes to a close (12pm)

> Today's schedule in full
-(578:50) NO SAVED VALID SPORT!!!!:5:

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!