Josh Warrington took his time collecting his thoughts post-fight, after losing his rematch to Leigh Wood, and exclusively telling Boxing Social from his locker room, with bruising around his eyes and sweat dripping from his hair, that he may not have it anymore.
Wood outclassed Warrington from the opening bell when they faced one another atop a Matchroom on DAZN card which took place Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Nottingham Arena in England.
Warrington couldn’t get his jab going in the fight, and was limited to throwing 311 shots — almost half the output from the far busier Wood, who connected with 125 of his 612 punches thrown, according to Compubox data.
And it seemed hard for Warrington to take backstage, when looking at what life in the sport may look like now, aged 35, having now suffered the fourth defeat of his last five fights.
“I trained unbelievably hard,” he told Boxing Social. “We were physically and mentally prepared, but this week — swings and roundabouts. I forgot what it was like to go through the emotions; the torment you put yourself through.”
“I’ve done it many times but I don’t think I can do this many more times. It’s exhausting.”
Warrington continued: “Some things are not easy in life but when you take physical punishment as well. The way I fight, I go forward, I give a lot and take a lot. Tonight, I went on a rollercoaster. Quite pumped coming to the arena., I just couldn’t take [the opportunities].”
One of the mainstays of ‘The Leeds Warrior’s’ career has been the fervent support he generated early during his burgeoning days as a prospect and contender, often headlining the arena and soccer stadium in town, beating the likes of Lee Selby, Carl Frampton, Kid Galahad, and Kiko Martinez (twice).
“I feel like I’ve let them down,” he said of his fans. “I know they’ll follow me through thick and fan, with their hard-earned money, and I can’t help but feel like that.
“I tried … but there was something holding me back. It’s so frustrating, and my old man’s giving me instruction, I know what he’s talking about, I get off the stool and it’s there to be had — but it’s just not firing.”
He then expressed the brotherhood he feels having fought so many top tier fighters, including Wood now twice, albeit experiencing defeats both times in the rivalry.
“Most of us come from council estates and achieve a bit of glory,” Warrington said. “We can put more money in our bank balance, keep chasing the glory, but you’re lucky with your kids and your family and that’s who you do it for. You’ve reached the top pinnacle, why keep boxing to take punishment. It’s to secure your family’s future.”
Warrington considered his defining moments. He won national titles — English and British, together with the Commonwealth — but it’s the IBF title wins, over Selby and later finishing Martinez in the seventh, all of which were in Leeds, that stood out.
“Winning the British title was up there, but it’s got to be winning the world title at Elland Road,” he said. “It felt written in the stars fighting as an underdog, beautiful summer’s night with Lucas Radabe walking us to the ring. Special memories that will never be forgotten about. A lot of people still approach me in Leeds, talking about that night in Elland Road.”
A lot of people will be talking for years about Warrington’s career, too.
Watch the full interview right here: