Boxing: Josh Warrington gets set to put his titles on the line in Leeds

Leeds’ Josh Warrington will defend the WBC International and Commonweath featherweight titles against Australian Joel Brunker later this summer.
Josh Warrington claimed the WBC International Featherweight title against durable Filipino Dennis Tubieron with a wide points win in front of a huge hometown crowd at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. 
11th April 2015.
Picture : Jonathan GawthorpeJosh Warrington claimed the WBC International Featherweight title against durable Filipino Dennis Tubieron with a wide points win in front of a huge hometown crowd at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. 
11th April 2015.
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe
Josh Warrington claimed the WBC International Featherweight title against durable Filipino Dennis Tubieron with a wide points win in front of a huge hometown crowd at the First Direct Arena in Leeds. 11th April 2015. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

Warrington is to make the third defence of the title he claimed in Hull in November, 2013 at the First Direct Arena, in Leeds, on September 5.

Brunker lost to newly-crowned IBF champion Lee Selby in London last October and Warrington - who has already successfully defended against Rendall Munroe and Martin Lindsay - believes the challenger will bring the best out of him.

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“I’m delighted to be defending my Commonwealth title at the First Direct Arena again - it’s my home and Joel Brunker is the perfect opponent for me,” said Warrington.

“I think it will be a very good fight against Brunker. He is a come forward fighter, busy and will make it difficult for me, but I’m ready for whatever he can bring.”

Warrington added: “I’ve watched Selby’s fight with Brunker back a few times and to be honest until Lee stopped him, it wasn’t his best performance.

“I’m confident I can put on a vintage performance and go one better. I was happy for Lee to win the World title, good on him – but I’m not thinking about him yet, Brunker has my full attention.”

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Warrington sees Brunker as “another significant step-up for me”, but he insisted: “Every time I’ve stepped up a level, I’ve won titles and delivered – from British, European, Commonwealth and now heading to World level.

“Since my last fight I’ve had some much needed time off. I boxed in Berlin and Leeds in quick succession. To be honest I haven’t had a break from camp since the European title fight against Davide Dieli.

“It has given me some time to focus on my house and get engaged to my girlfriend in Mexico. My batteries are fully recharged and I’m raring to go.

“I can’t wait, I’ve got such a buzz already in training. The whole city will be buzzing with the news and I can’t wait to hear the crowd roar me on to victory on September 5.”