Mauricio Lara vs Josh Warrington 2, Katie Taylor vs Jennifer Han official for September 4th

As revealed last week, one of 2020’s biggest upsets will get a runback on September 4th when former IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington once again locks horns with Mexican slugger Mauricio Lara.

“Bronco” Lara (22-2, 15 KO) entered their February meeting as a stopgap solution, a means to keep Warrington (30-1, 7 KO) busy while the latter’s team tried to put together a fight with Xu Can. Instead, he ran roughshod over the former champion, dropping him hard in the fourth round and piling on the pressure until he forced a ninth-round stoppage. It was a thorough, brutal demolition job without a hint of fluke about it, and Warrington definitely has a lot to prove in the sequel.

“I’ve never been much of a talker, I’d rather do my talking in the ring,” said Lara. “I’m going for a repeat performance on September 4. Hit once, hit twice. Warrington should know that I am coming for him. This is all about pride. This is for Mexico!”

“It’s been an up and down period, time for reflection and to reassess myself, said Warrington. “I’ve watched the first fight a dozen times, I’m mentally and physically prepared for Mauricio. It won’t be the same result, I want revenge. It’s going to be a huge event in Leeds, I can’t wait to get back in there and rewrite the script. It’s nothing personal, just business. September 4th we get back on track to the top.”

Co-star Katie Taylor (18-0, 6 KO) will be making her fourth defense as undisputed lightweight champion against El Paso’s Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KO), who’s an IBF mandatory but not, y’know, an “IBF mandatory.” Han enjoyed a solid reign as featherweight champion before jumping two divisions in 2020, and she sits at #6 in BoxRec’s rankings.

“I’m really excited to defend my Titles in front of a live crowd again and especially in Leeds,” said Taylor. “I grew up as a Leeds United fan so it’s fantastic to see them back in the Premier League and doing so well again.

“My last few fights have effectively been behind closed door and it’s definitely a strange experience so I think to have crowds back again and outdoors in Leeds will make for a very special atmosphere. I’m back in the US in training camp, working hard and focused on putting in another big performance against a tough and experienced opponent on September 4.”

“I want to thank Katie for this opportunity,” said Han. “Enjoy your belts while you still have them. I will see you in September.”

In a very welcome surprise, the card will also see Jovanni Straffon (24-3-1, 17 KO) take on Maxi Hughes (23-5-2, 5 KO) in a clash of lightweight upset authors. Straffon extended his winning streak to 10 this past May with a two-minute wipeout of James Tennyson, while Hughes reignited his career last year with consecutive decisions over Jono Carroll and Viktor Kotochigov.

Hell of a lineup, from where I’m sitting. Looking forward to this one.