Josh Warrington – We Are Leeds – Leeds First Direct Arena 11/04/15 Review

After this convincing though not overwhelming win, Josh is headed for a summer 2016 Elland Road world title showdown with Lee Selby. Selby was in the Arena on Saturday night and was quoted as saying he would love to silence the crowd, good luck with that Lee.

At near capacity -  just consider that fact for a moment, there is no other boxer around at the moment who could pull these sort of crowds in – the arena was bouncing, literally. A canny soundtrack built up the atmosphere as the support for local lad Josh almost literally spilled out. Certainly the beer did but it was all good natured and very focused on helping to deliver the win and international belt for Josh. 11,000 people belting out Leeds songs, Joshs name, Sweet Caroline…the noise was as loud and raucous as you can get. At Elland Road it will be 40,000+, what a night that will be, I’m buzzing already. From the opening notes of LUFC anthem Marching On Together it was the loudest I have heard, former Leeds legend and movie hardman Vinnie Jones carrying his domestic belt aloft followed Warrington to the ring though a total melee, the football anthem now having given way to the Kaiser chiefs beery classic I Predict A Riot

Watch: my video of the crowd and Sweet Caroline



There has been criticism from some that Josh’s crowd is just football fans. That’s meant presumably as some kind of slur. I, like Josh and many people in the crowd am a passionate Leeds United fan. The two sports aren’t mutually exclusive, I like and watch Rugby League, Cricket, this weekend it seems Golf too and I like my boxing. I am fiercely patriotic and even more so when it comes to Yorkshire and its fine sports men and women.

Lee Selby fights Evgeny Gradovich next month for the world title in London and if he wins has said he will offer Josh a tilt. But there is at least one more fight in Warrington before he gets to that big day and it’s true that this wasn’t his finest performance. The point decision against Dennis Tubieron was convincing though Selby was unlikely to be fazed by what he saw in the ring. Josh admitted as much in post fight conference, he had to learn to finish fighter off. To my eyes there were several points where he landed several successive blows and Tubieron was reeling, the killer bows never arrived. Warrington never looked troubled and admitted he got bored.

Eddie Hearns spoke after the fight about how Josh needs a good quality fighter next time, a name, somebody who people know and someone who will put Josh through the mill, a real test of his power, something we know Selby has. That said a tough 12 rounds will serve Warrington well as he heads back into the gym after plenty of fish and chips and a trip to Scarborough, where after this pay day he concedes he may be able to afford a b&b rather that then tent he used to take.

Watch the press conference, Radio Leeds asking the questions

On the undercard, mention due to Huddersfield s Tyrone Nurse who took his record to 31-2 with a sold victory over previously undefeated Liam Taylor. This fight was intended as a British title fight with Chris Jenkins however a serious bout of food poisoning put paid to that. We last saw Nurse on Warrington’s last undercard, losing disappointingly to Chris Ryan. The 2015 Nurse seems tougher and more mobile and damaged Taylor several time, ultimately going the distance. Nurse is expected to get his domestic title shot this summer.

A nod also to Pontefract’s Maxi Hughes who despite some good local support failed to add the super featherweight title against Leeds fighter Martin Ward. The Leeds accreditation raising some eyebrows though as last time we looked he was from Essex. Wherever he was actually hails, he was too strong for Maxi who was pulled out in the fifth round.

Once again a fantastic night boxing and there can be few better venues in which to host it, the delight was clear on Hearns face after the event, even revelling in the fact that a beach ball temporarily halted Warringtons fight in the 5th as it landed in the ring. Not something you have seen before…ahem but not something to be repeated.

The next big fight night on the Matchroom Boxing calendar is the Rule Britannia event at Londons O2, Kevin Mitchell and Lee Selby will fight for World titles on May 30, with Anthony Joshua MBE taking on Kevin Johnson on a massive night for British boxing.

Tickets are priced at £40, £60, £80, £100 and £200 with VIP packages at £400

Tickets are on sale to Matchroom Fight Pass NOW! Join Fight Pass (just £29.95 per year)

The general sale begins at 9am on Tuesday March 31 with tickets priced £40- £200 available from www.theO2.co.uk and on 0844 856 0202.

The £400 VIP packages are exclusively available through www.matchroomboxing.com.