Josh Warrington dismisses retirement talk despite loss to Luis Alberto Lopez, reveals plans on when he considers returning to the gym and being open to domestic clash with Leigh Wood

Despite an upset loss against Luis Alberto Lopez, Josh Warrington is not yet ready to hang up the gloves.

The ‘Leeds Warrior’ faced Lopez on Saturday night in a mandatory IBF world title defense but was beaten by majority decision after failing to come back from a slow start to the fight.

“It’s just frustration and annoyance,” Warrington told talkSPORT in reaction to his loss. “Because there is so much to come after this fight.

“So I kind of put some internal pressure on myself and I knew the kid was going to start sharp, but I was too anxious at the start and was too careful with my jaw.

“Then when I finally started to get into it halfway through, even though I felt I had done enough to snatch it, the frustration comes if I had started a little faster, so I I definitely would have walked away with it, but it’s all retrospective and I just have to live with it.

Considering Warrington is 32 and has won just one of his last four fights, there was talk of retirement, but the two-time world champion still believes he has more to give.

“I will continue,” Warrington said. “I’m going to enjoy Christmas and I’m going to go back to the gym right away.

“I had planned to get fat, but I’m going to go back to the gym right away because at that point, I would be doing myself an injustice if I walked away from it like that…

“There’s a lot left in the tank, so hopefully I can come back even stronger.”

As for his next fight, Warrington would like to challenge himself against in-form WBA “regular” champion Leigh Wood in a national bust.

“If Leigh is willing, I would appreciate the opportunity,” Warrington said.

“I would still like to have a belt because you have more bargaining power, but now without a belt it’s his decision, but domestically it’s a massive fight for the UK.

“I went from the driver’s seat to the B side, so if he wants it, I’d be more than happy to take that one.”