SM
Sunday, December 15
Upcoming predictions and previews

Warrington eager to silence the doubters against Frampton

:Headline: Warrington eager to silence the doubters against Frampton: ID:344717: from db_amp
The Yorkshireman takes on Carl Frampton at the weekend.

Josh Warrington intends to keep "proving people wrong" as he prepares to make the first defence of his IBF featherweight title.

Warrington feels the significance of becoming world champion at his beloved Elland Road by upsetting the odds against Lee Selby was slightly downplayed because of the Welshman's struggles to make the 126lb limit.

The Yorkshireman is unfazed by being an underdog once more with the bookmakers ahead of his showdown against former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton at the Manchester Arena this weekend.

Josh Warrington, pictured, became world champion by outpointing Lee Selby in May (Dave Thompson/PA)

Indeed, Warrington believes his status relieves the pressure on his shoulders and feels another surprise victory would go a long way to silencing his doubters.

The 28-year-old told Press Association Sport: "I thought winning a world title would announce me on the world stage but I guess not. I guess you keep on fighting the big names and proving people wrong.

"To beat Lee Selby and Carl Frampton back-to-back in the same year would be some achievement. Carl has got a massive profile worldwide and a good win and people will start to know who Josh Warrington is.

"But there's no pressure. I'm not meant to win, am I? I'm just meant to turn up, wave at the crowd and that's it. But I always upset the party.

Warrington added: "He's a former world champion and former pound-for-pound fighter and Ring Fighter of the Year – that's some accolade. You can't get those credentials without being a decent fighter.

"He's going to want it. It could be his last throw of the dice so he's going to give absolutely everything. But we're prepared for that and I'm prepared for anything that he can bring."

Frampton rates Warrington behind WBA titlist Santa Cruz, WBO champion Oscar Valdez and WBC beltholder Gary Russell Jr at featherweight.

However, the Belfast fighter thinks he is capable of beating them all.

He said: "At this point in time I'll be respectful to the champions so I'll not put myself as a number one.

"I would say, in terms of what he's done, Leo Santa Cruz is number one, I would say flick of a coin between Valdez and Gary Russell and then I would say Warrington is number four – and that's not being disrespectful.

"They're the champions but I beat them all on my day."

– Josh Warrington defends his IBF World Featherweight title against Carl Frampton exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office, Saturday December 22. Watch for just £19.95, for more info visit www.bt.com/sportboxoffice

amp_article__344717 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-12-21 07:22:34:
html db last update - 2018-12-21 07:22:34 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Josh Warrington

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .