Elland Road beckons as Warrington’s stock rises quickly

Josh Warrington ahead of the Dennis Tubieron fight at Leeds Arena.

European, Commonwealth and British featherweight Warrington is now part of Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable and takes on Dennis Tubieron in an official eliminator for the WBC world featherweight title tomorrow night.

An excited 10,000 fans will pack into the First Direct Arena but Hearn believes Warrington could box in front of quadruple that number at Elland Road in future years for a world title shot.

Warrington was recruited to Hearn’s Essex-based Matchroom Boxing stable last year after defeating Rendall Munroe in Manchester, a fight which was followed by back to back victories at First Direct Arena against Martin Lindsay and Davide Diele.

Josh Warrington takes part in an open training session at The Light in Leeds (
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe). — Josh Warrington takes part in an open training session at The Light in Leeds ( Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).

Victory in the latter sealed Warrington the European featherweight title but Hearn has world domination on his mind in front of the biggest sporting arena of all in Leeds.

Hearn said: “This is a big fight for Josh but there’s so many more big fights for him to have that we are running out of space in the Arena.

“It’s been a whirlwind ride already but we’re only just getting started and 100 per cent Elland Road it has to happen.

“If he keeps progressing like he is then Elland Road is an absolute given.

“Because if we are selling 10,000 for Denis Tubieron which is a world title eliminator but a fight that Josh should win, what we are going to do when we get a world title shot?

“He’ll do 30 or 40 thousand at Elland Road and it’s just very unusual for a fighter these days to captivate the city and attract the following that he does.”

Warrington, 24, added: “There’s a lot said about the fans and they are amazing. I have to pinch myself when I walk out in front of them.

“Leeds people get behind their own and I just want to try my best for them.”

“This is the door to getting on the world stage. I have to show that I belong there, and that will take a great performance.

“Let’s see what Dennis brings on Saturday, it could be a chess match or a war, but we have several game plans.”

Warrington is as short as 1-100 favourite to win the fight with some bookmakers.