Josh Warrington makes Marcelo Bielsa promise if he wins IBF featherweight title against Kiko Martinez

By Ben McKenna
Published 20th Mar 2022, 08:00 BST
Updated 20th Mar 2022, 08:30 BST
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com 
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Josh Warrington wants to give ex-Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa a "proper send-off" by having the Argentine join his next ringwalk if he beats Kiko Martinez on Saturday.

The Leeds Warrior will look to win back the IBF featherweight title he vacated early last year when he takes on Martinez at the Leeds Arena next weekend.

Warrington, along with a number of fellow Leeds supporters, was "gutted" to see Bielsa leave Elland Road last month.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 31-year-old hopes to win the IBF crown again on Saturday and if he does, he wants the Argentine to carry the belt into the ring for his first defence.

“It would have been an absolutely huge honour to have him there on Saturday," Warrington told The Mirror.

"But I’ve nowt for him to carry this time, he’d just be walking out alongside me. But if I was to win the belt it’d be a huge honour to have him there next time.

"Just to have him back and give him a proper send-off, whether it meant him getting in the ring before or after the fight, it would be brilliant, so let’s see what happens.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Prior to Friday's dramatic win over Wolves, Warrington had backed Leeds to seal Premier League safety this season.

TITLE CONTEST: Josh Warrington, right, faces Kiko Martinez for the IBF featherweight title on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images.TITLE CONTEST: Josh Warrington, right, faces Kiko Martinez for the IBF featherweight title on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images.
TITLE CONTEST: Josh Warrington, right, faces Kiko Martinez for the IBF featherweight title on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images.

The victory at Molineux was a huge step towards avoiding the drop but with the international break now taking place, all eyes in the city will be on Warrington as he looks to become a world champion again.

Related topics:Marcelo BielsaJosh WarringtonArgentineWarringtonElland Road

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.