Exclusive: Josh Warrington Draws Strength from Leeds as He Plots Final Climb

Josh Warrington aims to use his love of Leeds as the “fuel” which will power his journey back to the highest level of boxing.

The two-time world champion, who won his first fight in over three years when he beat Asad Asif Khan at Sheffield’s Canon Medical Arena in April, is intent on winning back his old IBF belt or contesting another sanctioning body’s major titles before retiring for good.

Despite having nothing to prove after beating the likes of Lee Selby, Kiko Martinez, Kid Galahad and most notably Carl Frampton during a stellar career, Warrington insists he still has both the passion and the prowess to trouble some of the biggest names in the business after stepping up to 130lbs.

He traces that desire back to the pride he derives from being one of his home city’s best loved athletes - something he aims to channel into one final sporting hurrah.

Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, Warrington said: “In the early days, the following and fighting for Leeds did bring pressure. But with that pressure also came fuel. It gave me both."

KILLER PUNCHER

“I remember when I was up against Hisashi Amagasa, at Leeds Arena, and I knew he was a killer puncher."

"The trouble was, not many other people had heard of him over here and so they all thought I was going to smash him. I was confident but it was never going to be that easy."

"During that fight, if the volume even dropped for a second, I’d be thinking, why is that happening?"

"So yes, there was pressure. But I wouldn’t have had it any other way because I’m proud to be from Leeds and I want to represent Leeds.”

Now aged 34, Warrington’s victory over Khan on the undercard of a GBM Sports show ended a run of three straight defeats which many observers felt had ended his status as an elite performer. 

“It was nice to celebrate because that’s something I hadn’t been able to do for a while," he added. 

Although that win proved cathartic, he knows he must claim at least a couple of much more prominent scalps in order to be considered for either the IBF, WBC, WBA or WBO crowns.

With a return against former foe Leigh Wood appearing to fall by the wayside, Michael Conlan had been considered as a potential opponent following his move to Grant Smith’s gym in Sheffield. But the Irishman is now scheduled to face another Leeds boxer, Jack Bateson, in Dublin on September 5th.

FANS' FAVOURITE 

What Warrington does still have in his favour is an ability to sell more tickets than most of his fellow fighters, even though his profile has waned since those losses to Wood, Anthony Cacace and Luis Alberto Lopez.

“I’m so proud and indebted to the people who come and watch me,” Warrington said. 

“They drive me on and so, even though I want to do this for myself, does the thought of representing Leeds to the very best of my ability."

“A lot of the people who have followed me over the years have become friends, very good friends. Having that sort of backing can only be a help, because it really pushes you on. It’s got me through some tough moments, the kind of ones you always have in this game.”

“Don’t get me wrong, there would be times before a big fight when I’d get back from the gym and be lying in bed at night thinking, I can’t let all these people down."

"But I wouldn’t change a thing because it’s helped me do what I’ve done so far.”