Yorkshire’s Warrington wishing for world title shot after Brunker bout
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Leeds-born featherweight Josh Warrington is aiming to make a huge statement when he defends his WBC intercontinental and commonwealth titles against Australian Joel Brunker on home soil, potentially earning his city further sporting success.
The unbeaten Yorkshireman is targeting a world title shot after hopefully dispatching his latest counterpart, who is 7/2 with Coral to cause an upset at the First Direct Arena in front of Warrington’s rapturous home support.
Having won all 21 of his professional ring outings since bursting onto the scene in 2009, 24-year-old Warrington has been linked with an exciting encounter with Welshman Lee Selby, who is reportedly willing to put his IBF featherweight strap on the line at Elland Road next year.
Although, Warrington must overcome a fighter who Selby dispatched in the eighth round of their clash last October, with Brunker hoping to continue his recovery from that maiden career defeat in this Leeds rumble.
Warrington’s home town has witnessed plenty of success of late, with Championship club Leeds United previously earning their first win of the season, while Leeds Rhinos thumped Hull KR 50-0 in the Rugby League Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
“The city is on a high right now and I want to capitalise on that on Saturday,” stated Warrington.
“It’s a special feeling standing on that ramp getting ready to walk to the ring. Even in the weeks beforehand there’s a massive buzz around the city with everyone getting excited about the fight and getting ready for the atmosphere.
“That’s got its own reputation now with people coming from all over to sample it, and it’s just getting bigger and bigger now.”
The home fighter is a massive odds-on 2/9 favourite to overcome Brunker and move on to what he believes can be a major step-up in his so far unwavered featherweight career.
“I’m dead excited and it’s going to be a busy crowd. It’ll be a good fight as well. I’m expecting a tough fight. Joel’s a good kid and you don’t get a record like his without being a decent prospect,” he continued.
“I’ve trained hard for it and I’m ready for whatever [Brunker] brings.”
On the prospect of facing Selby for the world crown in 2016, Warrington added: “It’s what keeps getting mentioned and I’m not going to turn around and say I’m not interested in the fight. It definitely whets the appetite but I’ve got to get through this one on Saturday.”
Warrington’s match-up with Brunker is part of a massive night of action in Yorkshire, with Martin Murray also contesting Jose Miguel Torres for the WBA intercontinental super middleweight title.
Merseyside middleweight Murray is odds-on 1/33 to triumph and continue his revival since being smashed by division monster Gennady Golovkin in February this year, while his Colombian counterpart is 10/1 to upset the St Helens star.
