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Rhys Thomas

Josh Warrington on how a Leeds United match could have derailed his Kid Galahad world title fight

As far as Leeds United superfans go, 'Leeds Warrior' Josh Warrington is perhaps up there in number one spot.

The world champion boxer has a season ticket at Elland Road, and on a fight night he enters the ring with club anthem Marching On Together blaring out.

Many of Warrington's hardcore fans are also big Leeds United supporters, and you suspect that the champion will love the Whites 'until the world stops going round.'

Speaking ahead of his upcoming title defence against Frenchman Sofiane Takoucht though, Warrington mentioned that a visit to watch Leeds United in action put his last bout with Sheffield's Kid Galahad in jeopardy.

In a column for 32Red, Warrington said that celebrations in a match against Derby County were so ecstatic that they risked injury for the fighter.

"I went to Derby about five weeks before the Galahad fight." he said.

Leeds United fans away at Derby County (Alex Dodd/CameraSport)

"We scored and everybody went mad. I had people swinging off my head. They don’t do it intentionally but it’s just passion and you get carried away yourself. 

"People were picking me up and throwing me about all over and afterwards you think, ‘F****** hell, it were a bit dangerous that.’"

Warrington also revealed that, perhaps unsurprisingly, whilst a pint and a pie at half time suits most football fans, it isn't exactly ideal for a fighter preparing for a world title bout.

He said: "You go and get a drink at half time and there’s no water and you can only get a pie to eat. Then you get stuck in traffic for ages getting out."

As well as the issues at the Derby match, both Josh and father and trainer Sean O'Hagan also expressed frustration that they may have 'taken their eye off the ball' in preparing for the fight.

Speaking at the pre-Takoucht press conference, O'Hagan said of the Galahad fight: "We were back in Leeds again and it became a little too familiar. We were back at the arena for another fight, and maybe we took our eye off the ball.

"That last fight, even though he's a world champion, it was a good learning fight.

"This time, no stone has been unturned."

Make sure to like the Josh Warrington Facebook fan page for the latest news in the build up to the big fight.

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