Josh Warrington wins bloody battle against Lee Selby to claim IBF world featherweight title

A superb performance from underdog Josh Warrington in his dream venue saw the Yorkshireman prevail to claim the International Boxing Federation featherweight crown by split decision last night from defending champion Lee Selby.

By the end of twelve bloody rounds, both men and referee Mike Alexander were smeared in the Welshman’s claret, the Barry Island fighter cut above the left eye in the second round. But Warrington deserves the plaudits as he ripped the belt from Selby, who was making his sixth defence.

“I had great expectation on me from the city, but the roar of the crowd kept pushing me on,” said the newly-crowned emotional champion.

One judge scored the contest 115-113 for Selby, with the other officials giving it 116-112, and 115-113 to Warrington, who had been led into the ring by Leeds United legend Lucas Radebe, with the indie rock band Kaiser Chiefs playing live at the football ground.

It certainly inspired him. Round  after round, even when Selby rallied in the middle of the fight, Warrington’s tenacity was unquestionable. The 27-year-old showed that he has world-class qualities, and a world-class heart.

The challenger had bull-rushed the champion in the opening rounds, two good left hooks and a right hand letting the Welshman know his utter commitment to the challenge.

Warrington applied even more pressure in the second stanza, Selby cut above the left eye after a head clash but caught several times by his rival’s counters in what became a thrilling toe-to-toe battle.

“Yorkshire, Yorkshire”, they chanted at the start of the third, and still the pressure applied denied Selby finding his timing, as he targeted the body of the home fighter. But Warrington achieved his objective, drawing Selby in and creating a mindset of not being able to back down. Warrington had promised a war, and his efforts fired up over 20,000 baying Leeds fans – for whom he is chairman of the football supporters’ club – who added to the  atmosphere of an old school, violent encounter.

Earlier, double Olympic champion Nicola Adams cruised to her fourth professional career victory after a first-round knockout of Soledad del Valle Frias, although the round lasted longer than the two minutes scheduled.

Adams is now setting her sights on fighting for a world title in her home city of Leeds. “I’d love to do that, it would be unbelievable,” she said.