Josh Warrington v Mauricio Lara: Fight ends in technical draw after clash of heads

Josh Warrington's rematch with Mauricio Lara ended in a technical draw after the Mexican suffered a huge cut above his left eye following a clash of heads in the second round.

The ringside doctor waved off the bout as Lara's corner were unable to stem the bleeding from his gaping wound.

It was a major disappointment for both fighters after a pulsating start in front of a partisan crowd in Leeds.

Lara won their first fight by knockout behind closed doors in February.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Warrington said he was "absolutely gutted" with the outcome.

"I am confused, I don't know what to say," he said. "I honestly felt I could burst into tears when the ref waved it off.

"I thought I caught him in the first round and I thought I could see a nick there and kept targeting it. When I dived in there was a head clash and I am absolutely gutted."

Looking to avenge his only professional defeat, Leeds-born Warrington was roared on by 20,000 fans at Headingley.

With a steely focus he seemed to be missing in their last meeting, the 30-year-old landed a big right and then a combination close to the ropes in the opening round.

Lara, 23, withstood the early attack and fired back with a powerful right of his own as the bout began to heat up.

But with the fight not four rounds in, the contest had to be settled with a draw, as both fighters and the ers left disappointed.

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