Kid Galahad is a ‘disgrace to boxing’, claims Josh Warrington

Josh Warrington branded Sheffield boxer Kid Galahad a “disgrace to the sport” but insisted his reluctance to hand Galahad a shot at the IBF title would not affect his focus when the pair meet later this year.
Josh Warrington after retaining his belt against Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena in December.Josh Warrington after retaining his belt against Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena in December.
Josh Warrington after retaining his belt against Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena in December.

World champion Warrington will make the second defence of his featherweight crown in England after the IBF installed Galahad as the mandatory challenger for their nine-stone belt.

A pulsating victory over Carl Frampton in December left Leeds fighter Warrington looking for a big-money fight in America but the IBF’s insistence on a clash with Galahad will bring the two Yorkshire fighters together.

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Galahad holds a perfect 26-fight record and has worked his way up the rankings but his career was interrupted by a two-year suspension from UK Anti-Doping in 2015 after he tested positive for a banned steroid.

The ban was later cut to 18 months and Galahad has maintained his innocence throughout, blaming a drink spiked by his brother following a disagreement over money. UKAD, however, applies a strict liability policy.

Warrington said: “I don’t like this cocky persona he’s got and I don’t like his attitude.

“When he talks about his drugs ban it’s like he doesn’t have any remorse.

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“When you’re in athletics or something like that, people cheating means other athletes can lose out on medals. The difference in boxing is that you’re going in there to hurt each other. I don’t like it and he’s a disgrace to the sport in my eyes.”

The challenger: Sheffield's Kid GalahadThe challenger: Sheffield's Kid Galahad
The challenger: Sheffield's Kid Galahad

Galahad tried to enter the ring after Warrington’s 12-round defeat of Frampton in Manchester but was prevented from getting to the fighter by security.

Warrington said there would be “no love lost” with Galahad and questioned whether the 28-year-old had “earned his stripes for a fight like this” but said he would not be affected by complacency in the build-up.

“I wanted to be unifying belts but I’ve got Kid Galahad in the way of that now so it’s all the motivation I need.

“I can’t overlook him and I’d never do that with anybody,” he said.

A date and venue for the clash with Galahad is still to be announced.