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Josh Warrington is hoping to return to the featherweight spotlight on Saturday night.
During the last twelve months, the featherweight division has seen several changes, with newly crowned champions like IBF champion Kiko Martinez and WBC champion Mark Magsayo.
Two weeks ago, WBA “regular” champion Leigh Wood produced a sensational ending when he knocked out Michael Conlan in the final round of their Nottingham clash.
Warrington, who is still trying to recover from last year’s knockout loss to Mauricio Lara, will challenge Martinez for his IBF title.
Warrington already holds a tough decision win over Martinez, from five years ago.
The once-beaten boxer feels inspired after watching Wood rebuild his career with several big wins.
“Only a few years ago, Leigh Wood looked like he was done but he got that shot against Can Xu and has now been involved in one of the contenders for the fight of the year,” said Warrington to the Yorkshire Post.
“It is still wide open and it is all to play for. Anything can happen. It is exciting to be part of this little era. I felt like I had a bit of bad luck not being able to get the Shakur Stevenson fight after beating Carl Frampton and Kid Galahad. Oscar Valdez moved up and I couldn’t face Leo Santa Cruz or Gary Russell Junior either. I think the division has revamped itself.
“I think the division always does as there are a lot of small guys who are coming through from the amateurs or guys from super bantamweight wanting to be multi-weight world champions. It is very exciting. You have got Mark Magsayo who beat Gary Russell in the states, you still have Navarette and Wood. Conlan is still very much relevant. Mauricio Lara is still on the rise as well; it is very tasty.”