Josh Warrington: I Want A World Title In New Year

By Chris Glover

Josh Warrington spoke to Boxing Scene after it was revealed last week that the Yorkshireman had teamed up with promoter Frank Warren.

The Leeds ‘Warrior’ has picked up the British, Commonwealth and European titles under the guidance of Steve Wood’s management and has opened up on how he feels about the future with the VIP head honcho and the aforementioned Queensberry Promotions boss Warren.

Warrington was named as Warren’s third signing since the ground-breaking partnership between BT Sport and BoxNation was confirmed, behind British super-bantamweight title mandatory challenger Thomas Patrick Ward and Lonsdale belt holder at super-lightweight Tyrone Nurse, last Thursday (December 15).

“I’m really excited about the future,” he told ‘Scene the day after the news was revealed. “2016 didn’t go to plan as I had a few injuries and then I got married, so I wasn’t active as I would like, but I’m really excited about the future and about this new challenge.”

Warrington’s last outing came in July, when he stopped former world title challenger Patrick Hyland inside nine rounds at the First Direct Arena. It appears that Warrington’s team has laid out plans for him for the upcoming year, but he is solely focused on doing the business in the ring.

“My team deal with who I fight, I just do the fighting and I’ll fight anyone,” he continued.

“It’s been well documented I want to fight the Welsh fella [IBF world champion Lee Selby] but honestly I’ll fight whoever my team put in front of me.”

Warrington’s aforementioned manager Steve Wood told Boxing Scene last week that his charge, who is trained by Sean O’Hagan, could return to the ring in February.

Despite not confirming this, the 26-year-old former dental technician (24-0, 5 KOs) is in buoyant mood ahead of the new year.

“I’m really excited to get back in the ring, I’m a fighter and that’s what I do.

“I’m no longer making teeth. Boxing is my full-time job now and my focus next year is securing a world title fight. I really want to fight for a world title, no matter who it is.

“If it means I must get myself up the rankings then so be it but I want to end 2017 a world champion.”

Warrington, who brings a crowd of five- or six-thousand raucous fans, pretty much all of whom support the city’s football team, has hailed his fans and believes they have helped him get to where he is at this stage. He currently has number two ranking, behind Leo Santa Cruz, with the WBC.

“If it wasn’t for the fans I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he continued.

“They are unbelievable and I can’t thank every one of them for the support they give me.

“It’s unbelievable, they are the best boxing fans in the world.”

Belfast is a city that also has some of the world’s best boxing fans, who all support Super WBA champ Carl Frampton, and Warrington hasn’t ruled out a clash with their favourite son this summer.

“I’d love a big domestic clash at Elland Road, that’s what dreams are made of.

“A fight with Lee Selby or Carl Frampton would be unbelievable. I really hope either of them, if not both of them, could happen at Leeds’ ground.”