Josh Warrington enjoyed a rousing reception on his arrival at Headingley Stadium for tonight’s crunch rematch against Mauricio Lara.
The Leeds Warrior was on the receiving end of a shock ninth-round knockout to the Mexican boxer in February, suffering the first defeat of his professional career.
Warrington is out for revenge this evening and will have an adoring home crowd in his corner.
The Leeds United supporter received a hero’s welcome into Headingley, with punters chanting “Leeds, Leeds, Leeds” and waving flags as he walked through the stadium.
There were also cheers among the main crowd who were watching Ebanie Bridges take on Mailys Gangloff in the ring when Warrington was showed on the big screen.
Fans then sang Whites anthem Marching On Together after Warrington was spotted watching Jovanni Straffon vs Maxi Hughes.
Warrington's defeat to Lara in February was at Wembley and the 30-year-old spoke about the advantages that having a local, home crowd will bring.
He said: “It’s massive. I’ve said this many times, people can say they can’t get into the ring with you and I know that but it’s what they do for me.
“The energy that they bring, the noise, the passion. If they manage to take an opponent out of his game plan, that’s a bonus but I don’t think about that, I think about what they can do for me.
“Knowing they’re going to be there and the noise they’re going to bring, it makes me tune up, switch on, gets that adrenaline flowing. It’s going to be massive and I like having my own crowd, they are fantastic.
“It’s a different energy, I’ve learnt how to use it to an advantage. There’s times where it can have an effect on the opponent as well, for example when I fought Carl Frampton, every time he came forward his fans went nutty but that played into my hands as well because I wanted him to do that.
“When my fans are going crazy, it can get into their heads but, it makes me sharpen up, stay disciplined and put on a performance for them.”
