Ricky Hatton: My prediction for Josh Warrington vs Kiko Martinez and what could be next

In his latest column, the British boxing legend previews the featherweight title clash between Josh Warrington and Kiko Martinez and looks ahead to a huge April for Fightzone.

It has been a very tough year for Josh Warrington but he has the chance to get right back on track and become a two-time IBF featherweight champion against Kiko Martinez this weekend.

Josh got nailed against Mauricio Lara last February and it turned his world upside down. The rematch didn’t deliver either after that early clash of heads so Josh has not had too many rounds in the last two years.

However, he is looking in better shape than I think I have ever seen him in before – he looks like he has been chiselled out of stone. He has stayed in the gym, worked hard and the opportunity has come along again.

I spoke to Josh the other night to wish him good luck. I asked him if he had managed making the weight okay, because when Kid Galahad fought Martinez last year, that was the bit of concern over whether he was still able for featherweight. I just wanted to know for my own peace of mind and he told me: ‘Bang on, Ricky. I’ve never done it better’.

Josh will be right up for this. This is when you find out what sort of champion you are, coming back from defeat and going for it the second time around.

It is alright winning when everything is going your way but you find out how good you are when your back is up against the wall and you’ve had to come through those obstacles. Josh has had that all and now he has the chance to get back on top.

If he does the right things which he has always done over the years, he will be fine on the night. He never stands in front of his opponent, doesn’t stand in the pocket and he throws from lots of angles, outworking