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Josh Warrington wins IBF featherweight crown after upsetting Lee Selby at Elland Road

Warrington
Image: Josh Warrington celebrates after his split decision win

Josh Warrington realised his world title dream at his beloved Elland Road by upsetting Lee Selby to clinch the IBF featherweight crown via a split decision after a 12-round thriller.

Fervent Leeds supporter Warrington was roared into the ring by an expectant crowd estimated to be around 25,000 in his home city.

Warrington was a clear underdog with the bookmakers against his Welsh opponent but rose to the challenge in the West Yorkshire cauldron to maintain his perfect professional record and end Selby's near three-year reign as world champion at 126lbs.

Lee Selby lands a shot on Josh Warrington during IBF Featherweight Championship fight at Elland Road on May 19, 2018 in Leeds, England.
Image: Warrington [right] ended Lee Selby's three-year reign as world champion

Warrington was given the nod by two of the judges - 116-112 and 115-113 - with a third scoring the fight 115-113 in Selby's favour.

Another domestic dust-up may loom for Warrington as the winner of this bout had been heavily linked with Northern Ireland's Carl Frampton, whose next fight has been slated for Windsor Park later this summer.

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Frampton was ringside in Leeds to witness the unexpected result.

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