A war of words has already begun as Josh Warrington prepares to fight his mandatory challenger in Kid Galahad. in a Yorkshire derby.
The IBF featherweight champion faces his third successive Brit following victories over Lee Selby and Carl Frampton.
Despite wanting to unify, the IBF ordered Warrington to face Galahad next, which the Leeds man is now keen to do.
“I knew Barry when we were amateurs. He was always a decent guy. But over the last few years he seems to have changed. He’s put on some persona to blag fans, opponents or himself,” said Warrington.
“He did well at super-bantamweight, but he has beaten nobody as a featherweight and he has lost respect from me for some of his antics.
“I want to be Ring Magazine champion, own all the belts. They are in touching distance. I can beat all the featherweights.
“I am concentrating purely on Barry. But after this I want one of the other world champions. I want champion after champion.”
Asked about the elevated expectations placed on his shoulder since Frampton, Warrington added: “All of sudden, people are saying I am capable of beating every featherweight in the world.
“With that comes expectation. I will go into this fight as the bookies’ favourite, but I will be 100 per-cent focused and looking to do a job.
The pair clearly don’t like each other and so it proved when they came face-to-face on Tuesday.
“Josh’s biggest asset is that people underestimate him. He is a lot better than what he looks,” pointed out Galahad. “He’s strong, tough, durable and mentally strong.
“But I have the skill, will and mental toughness to beat him.
“He beat me fair and square when we were amateurs. But down the line, I knew I would always fight him again. This is professional boxing, different game.
“Why am I the man to beat him? I know mentally that I am on a different level and I have the best team in British boxing.
“He is going to walk onto a shot, he is going to get hurt very badly. His dad, who trains him, will stop the fight because he will make an emotional decision.
“He will throw in the towel around round six, seven or eight,” he predicted.
In response, Warrington stated: “That prediction makes me giggle. It is funny how these scenarios get drawn up. He isn’t in touch with reality and talking daft. It is playground stuff.
“He can spout off what he likes. But when the first bell goes it will be me against him. We will see how special he and his team are then.”
TICKETS
Tickets for Warrington v Galahad go on sale via firstdirectarena.com at 12pm on Friday 22nd March and are priced as below:
£450 – Hospitality
£300 – Floor
£200 – Floor
£150 – Floor
£100 – Floor/Tier
£70 – Tier
£50 – Tier
£40 – Tier
FIGHT INFORMATION
(Frank Warren – March 19, 2019) – JOSH WARRINGTON will make the second defence of his IBF world featherweight title against mandatory challenger Kid Galahad at the Leeds Arena on June 15th.
It will be a hometown return for Warrington in the all Yorkshire grudge match against his old amateur rival.
Warrington, 28, caused a big upset when he outpointed defending champion Lee Selby in front of 25,000 fans at Elland Road. At the home of his beloved Leeds United last May.
In December, he cemented his status as one of the boxing stars of 2018 with a thrilling points win against two weight world champion, Carl Frampton at Manchester Arena in his maiden defence.
Warrington (28-0) had being eyeing a unification clash against WBO champion, Oscar Valdez. But the IBF ordered him to face Galahad and purses bids were won by the champion’s promoter, Frank Warren.
GALAHAD
Galahad (26-0) was born in Qatar but lived in Sheffield for much of his life and learnt his skills under the tutelage of the late Brendan Ingle.
He is now trained by Brendan’s son Dominic. He became Warrington’s number one contender in October when he outpointed Toka Kahn Clary on his American debut in Boston in an IBF final eliminator.
Galahad, whose is also known as Barry Awad last boxed in December, easily outpointing Brayan Mairena over eight rounds.
Warrington, a former English, British, Commonwealth, European and WBC international champion boxed Galahad twice when they were amateurs winning both contests on points.
Galahad won British, European, Commonwealth and international titles at super-bantamweight. Plus, an IBF Intercontinental featherweight belt.
BT Sport have the live and exclusive TV rights for Warrington v Galahad in the UK.
