Night of fandemonium for Leeds boxing champ Josh

He came, he fought and he most certainly conquered.
Vinnie Jones and Josh Warrington.Vinnie Jones and Josh Warrington.
Vinnie Jones and Josh Warrington.

Leeds boxer Josh Warrington was the toast of his home city today after taking the WBC International Featherweight title on a memorable occasion at the First Direct Arena.

Warrington claimed a points win over tenacious Filipino fighter Dennis Tubieron in front of a riotous and raucous 10,000-strong crowd.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And afterwards the 24-year-old wasted no time in raising the tantalising prospect of a showdown at the Elland Road home of his beloved Leeds United with domestic rival Lee Selby, who was watching from ringside for Sky Sports.

Warrington said: “I think it would sell out Elland Road if Lee and I were to get it on so it is definitely a fight that will happen.”

United cult hero Vinnie Jones, who joined Warrington on his walk to the ring, was just one of a string of famous faces at the arena for last night’s big fight.

Former Leeds manager Simon Grayson and current players Liam Cooper, Steve Morison, Luke Murphy and Scott Wootton were in attendance, along with Kaiser Chiefs guitarist Andrew White.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ex-Leeds player Andrew Hughes was also there and tweeted his congratulations to Warrington after the bout, hailing it as a “great night”.

Other tweets praising the boxer’s achievement came from United and Leeds Rhinos as well as a host of delighted fans.

Ben Randall wrote: “Love hearing that crowd behind Warrington, reminds me why I’m proud to be Leeds.”

Darren Stead tweeted: “What a night! A step up and came away with another belt at world level!”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Simon O’Rourke wrote: “Great victory for Josh Warrington. Sounded like the entire city was ringside.”

Warrington also saluted the support he received in the arena, saying: “I want to say a massive thank you to everybody who has turned out tonight.

“[They are] the best crowd, not just in Britain but in the world.

“From first bell to last it was unbelievable noise.”

Warrington had earlier cranked up the atmosphere with two shrewd choices of music for his walk to the ring.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

First there was Leeds United anthem Marching On Together, followed by I Predict A Riot – one of the signature tunes of Leeds band Kaiser Chiefs.

Explaining his decision to get ex-United star Jones on board for the ring walk, Warrington said last week: “[He’s] the man, he was loved at Leeds.”

Speaking on Saturday night about the electric atmosphere inside the arena, the former footballer said: “They never disappoint, that crowd.”