Leeds fan Josh Warrington brings boxing and football back together - especially this Saturday

Leeds fan and European featherweight champion Josh Warrington is boxing in Berlin this weekend but will not miss the Middlesbrough showdown.

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The 24-year-old is taking on Argentinian Edwin Tellez as part of the card that sees Paul Smith fight Arthur Abraham in a world title rematch, live on Sky Sports 3 on Saturday evening.

Around seven hours before that, in-form Leeds take on promotion chasing Middlesbrough also live on Sky Sports and Warrington, who walks to the ring to Marching On Together, does not want to miss this.

And although he will not be joining the "several hundred" Leeds fans that are going to watch him in Berlin, Warrington does not want to change his - or United's - ways.

Hopefully it will put me in a good mood before I walk into the ring - or I am going to be even more fiery and take that anger into the ring

"I'll definitely trying to find somewhere where I can watch," he told Sky Sports.

"For my last fight, for the European title, Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds [1-1] was on and I managed to watch the match before the fight and started getting right psyched up.

"I'll be watching this one as well. Hopefully it will put me in a good mood before I walk into the ring - or I am going to be even more firey and take that anger into the ring.

"I don't go to Elland Road myself on fight day. I normally just stay in the hotel and watch it. I get too psyched up and don't talk to anyone, I just become a bit weird on fight day." 

Warrington admits Tellez could well be a "banana skin" if he's not careful but could not ignore his next Leeds outing, when he takes on Dennis Tubieron for the WBC International featherweight title at the First Direct Arena at the start of April.

Legend

The man admits he has sold a "couple of thousand tickets" himself with an estimated 6,500 tickets already gone for the International Fight Night Live. 

But there is still one up for grabs, as the lifelong Leeds fan tried to add another famous face to his ringwalk.

Last time in September, former Leeds defender Dominic Matteo and rugby league and Rhinos superstar Jamie Peacock carried his belts into the ring.

Warrington believes there is no better ringwalk than the United song Marching On Together going into I Predict A Riot by the Kaiser Chiefs, but admits that there might be an addition to his line-up next time.

"Because Mr Peacock has been been there for all the arena fights so far, he is going to stay there - I am one of those that like to stick to tradition," he said.

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"I think Dom will be down there. I have another little secret on there but I am not saying just yet who's walking out with me. I am just saying it's a Leeds legend, that's all I'm saying."

"I am thinking from the fans point of view. It'd be better if they could watch the game, get back into the town centre, then get to the arena."

As for Saturday's predictions, Warrington is certain that he is not going to lose out in Berlin.

"I never give predictions on my fights and all I know is I am going to win," he said.

"Boro are doing well this season and it's going to be a tough one, but the way we're going on, you really don't know what's going to happen. 

"Hopefully we've got a bit of momentum behind us and I am going to say with my heart we are going to go there and cause an upset. We'll draw at least!"

Warrington on...

The form...
Josh says: It's a funny one. I was only looking the other day, or the other week, and we had relegation looking right over our shoulder but now we are mixing it with them up there and we could be looking at finishing in the top half.  

The future...
Josh says: I want us to stay up there but the play-offs might be a little too much of an ask! If we can keep up this year, regroup and give it a real go next year.

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The manager...
Josh says: Neil Redfearn is doing well. He's had time to work with these players and even though we have seen the bigger names moved on, he knows these young players - and I think they know him. 

The players...
Josh says: You've got to be impressed with most of the youngsters. Alex Mowatt has had a brilliant season. Charlie Taylor is another one who has just been put in the side and stepped up to the mark. But all the youngsters have stepped up to the plate.

The owner...
Josh says: I've not seen him since but I managed to catch him as I was walking out of the ring and came through the door and there he was: "Aaaaay Mr Champion, well done, well done!". He was shaking my hand and full of praise. I don't know whether he is going to be at the next one, but he is more than welcome!