JOSH WARRINGTON: FIGHTING FOR A CITY

His sporting success story was most definitely made in Leeds.

So where better for a major new documentary film about boxing hero Josh Warrington to have its premiere than one of the city’s grandest buildings?

The first public screening of Josh Warrington: Fighting For A City will take place at Leeds Town Hall on Thursday, November 1.

The screening, which will also mark the start of this year’s Leeds International Film Festival, will be attended by Josh.

Today he said the red carpet event would be an “incredibly proud moment”, adding: “The people of Leeds have always been so amazingly supportive and they’ve been with me every step of the way, so to be sharing this story with them will be really special.”

Filmed over a period of two years, the documentary goes behind the scenes with Josh as he follows his dream of winning the IBF featherweight world title – an ambition he finally realised by beating Lee Selby in front of a raucous hometown crowd at Leeds United’s Elland Road ground in May.

Made by Leeds-based Moneyglass Films with support from Screen Yorkshire’s Yorkshire Content Fund, it will also get a home entertainment release through Universal on DVD and digital download on November 26.

Producer Nick Ryle said: “We just knew that the combination of a talented, determined young man like Josh and a uniquely passionate set of fans was bound to give us drama.

“But for it to culminate as it did on that extraordinary night in May was beyond our wildest dreams.

“To be able to capture Josh, his dad, Sean, his family and team on their journey has been an incredible privilege.

“We believe we’ve now delivered a film that is both intimate and epic and which both boxer and city can be proud of.”

Taking place for the 32nd time, the Leeds International Film Festival runs until November 15.

Other films confirmed for screenings include political satire Sorry To Bother You and Mike Leigh’s much-anticipated Peterloo.

The list of venues, meanwhile, includes Hyde Park Picture House, Everyman Leeds and Vue at The Light as well as the Town Hall.

The festival is being organised by Leeds City Council with support from the Leeds 2023 cultural initiative.

Read the full article: www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/leeds-premiere-for-new-documentary-film-about-boxing-hero-josh-warrington-1-9390480

Jubilant Josh Warrington crowned world IBF featherweight champion at Elland Road

LEEDS boxer Josh Warrington was crowned IBF featherweight champion of the world amid a superb atmosphere at Elland Road after producing a brilliant performance to defeat defending champion Lee Selby on points despite a rather mystifying split decision from the judges. Warrington opened a cut above Selby's right eye in the second round and while the Welshman complained about a clash of heads, the Leeds fighter dominated throughout with Welshman Selby never looking like defending his title.

After opening up another cut above Selby's opposite eye in round five, Warrington was then confirmed the new world champion on points despite judge Alan Davis having the fight 115-113 in favour of Selby. But the other two judges had Warrington in front 116-112 and 115-113 meaning the Yorkshireman was deservedly crowned IBF world champion amid wild scenes at Elland Road. "What an occasion. What a night," said Warrington. "It's a fairytale ending." "I always had respect for Lee (Selby). There was a lot of animosity but I said to him after the bell - what's done is done. We'll hopefully leave it at that.”

Warrington admitted he felt nervous ahead of the fight, knowing that so many fans had turned out to see him at his beloved Elland Road.

“I got into this ring tonight with the expectation of this city on my shoulders,” he added. “I’m overcome with emotion. We worked on game plans but that all went out of the window and it was sheer grit and determination and this crowd got me through.”

Another domestic dust-up may loom for Warrington as the winner of this bout had been heavily linked with Northern Ireland’s Carl Frampton, whose next fight has been slated for Windsor Park later this summer. Frampton - who, like Warrington, is promoted by Frank Warren - was ringside to witness the unexpected result.

Warrington added: “I said to him two weeks ago, ‘I’m going to beat Lee Selby then I’ll come to Windsor Park’. “We love an away day, me and the boys, so we’ll turn up wherever, but first things first, I need to sit down with my manager and Frank and then we’ll get the fight sorted.”

Earlier on, Leeds golden girl Nicola Adams defeated Soledad Del Valle Frias in the first round of their international flyweight contest. Unbeaten Adams looked a class apart to her Argentinian opponent within the first few seconds and Frias crumbled to the canvas following another powerful hit by Adams towards the end of the contest’s first round.The Argentinian fighter was in no state to continue and was stopped as double Olympic gold medallist Adams easily recorded the fourth victory of her professional career.Adams hopes to win all four of her weight’s titles in the next two years and said: “This was unbelievable. To be able to perform in front of such a big crowd was amazing.”

As part of a superb evening for Yorkshire fighters, Bradford’s Darren Tetley became the new WBO welterweight European champion. Following earlier victories for Yorkshire trio Jack Bateson, Jack Daniel and Reece Mould, Tetley’s opponent Mason Cartwright was stopped in the ninth round after a severe laceration to the mouth. Cartwright was visibly upset by the doctor’s decision after earlier looking in control of the fight but Tetley fought back to turn the fight on its head.

Earlier, Doncaster fighter Mould first of all defeated Arnoldo Solano an in international featherweight contest before Leeds puncher Daniel stopped Latvia’s Zigurds Kraukalis in the first round of their super-featherweight bout. Mould won every round to record a victory on points to take his record to ten wins from ten fights with five knock-outs while Daniel quickly settled his bout to make it a perfect three from three as a professional with his second knock-out.

Fellow Leeds fighter Bateson then also beat Jose Hernandez in their super-bantamweight bout, outpointing his opponent 40-36 to also maintain his perfect record as a professional. Doncaster’s Adam Jones lost out on points to Scotland’s Willy Hutchinson in a middleweight contest.

Text courtesy of Yorkshire Post. Read more.

Talking is over for Josh Warrington as he vows to take down Lee Selby at Elland Road

LEEDS’S Josh Warrington is confident of again silencing the doubters on the biggest stage of all come Saturday night’s eagerly-awaited IBF world featherweight title fight against Lee Selby at Elland Road.

Unbeaten Warrington has climbed the ranks quickly since making his professional debut back in October 2009 having claimed the English, British, Commonwealth, EBC and WBC international belts at featherweight level before building up to a world title shot.

The 27-year-old will get that chance for glory against Welshman Selby in Saturday night’s fight on the Elland Road pitch of Leeds United and the Yorkshireman warned that doubters would be writing him off at their peril in the 26th fight of his career. Selby and Warrington have never been the best of friends and the duo again locked horns at another spikey, final press conference yesterday where Selby made light of the task of being thrown into the lions’ den containing Warrington’s passionate fans at Elland Road. Warrington, for his part, said he was unconcerned about tackling Selby in the toughest test of his career, insisting he was destined to become his city’s first boxing world champion this weekend. “I’ve been written off ever since I won the British title,” said Warrington.
 

“Every fight since then it’s been, ‘Warrington’s going to get found out’, but no matter what happens after Saturday night I’ll be there in the history books as Leeds’s first world champion.”

Prompted to stir up another war of words with Selby, Warrington said: I’m relaxed we had a bit of fun at the last press conference, but I don’t really need to say no more. I have dreamed of it many a time and I’m just ready to go now. “I don’t feel like there is any need for any more bad talking as on Saturday I get to punch him in the face. There’s no need for spouting off."

"For the last few months I’ve put my body through hell, constantly thinking that this is what it’s leading up to after all the years and all the talk of me and Lee potentially fighting. Now I just want to get in the ring and do the business.” And he repeated his confidence that “no matter what happens after Saturday night, I will always be there in the history books as Leeds’s first-ever world champion”. Around 25,000 fans are expected to pack into Elland Road with Selby’s fans set to be few and far between amid partisan home support. But the Welshman said he was unconcerned about the prospect of taking on Warrington in his own back yard. 

“With the title as world champion, I should be willing and ready to defend my title anywhere in the world,” said Barry-born Selby. “It’s only four hours on the road from where I live so it’s not so much into the lions’ den. “I am expecting people to boo me. If I had a fight outside there would be people shouting and that. It’s a fight. It’s just another defence.”

Asked how he saw the fight concluding, Selby said: “Just a Lee Selby winner. I’m no Muhammad Ali, I can’t predict a round or anything like that, I can just predict being a winner. If not then I shouldn’t be here. “I am looking forward to making a successful fifth defence and moving on to the sixth one. It will be just like the previous defences, another win for Lee Selby.” The Welshman sat proudly with his belt at yesterday’s press conference, but Warrington insisted that the 31-year-old would be looking at the prized possession for the last time. Selby, who has lost only once in 27 fights, has held the IBF title since defeating Russia’s Evgeny Gradovich in 2015. Saturday’s defence is his fifth and he successful retained the belt twice last year.

Warrington quipped: “Carry on with the pictures this week, Lee, with that belt as it’s staying here. Once it comes here, it’s staying here.” The duo will lock horns on two more occasions before the big fight itself with the pair taking part in open work-out sessions at Leeds Trinity this evening before meeting again at Friday’s weigh-in.

Warrington’s father and trainer Sean O’Hagan attempted to diffuse the tension, saying: “For all we do appreciate the support, we want to show Lee a little bit of respect. “He’s world champion, he’s coming here and giving us an opportunity. A bit of banter’s okay, but let’s not get too silly. Let’s keep it right.”

Read more at: Yorkshire Evening Post