NOTTINGHAM, England — Josh Warrington set his gloves down on the canvas following defeat to Anthony Cacace in 2024 — it was over.
Fifteen years as knowledgeable, a two-time world champion who proudly carried town of Leeds by way of some wonderful nights. All accomplished.
And then it wasn’t. It’s by no means that straightforward. Three weeks later he was again within the fitness center with extra to offer.
“It’s hard to explain to people what it is, what makes you want to go back to it,” Warrington tells ESPN on the eve of Saturday’s rematch with Leigh Wood in Nottingham.
“You’re getting hurt and punched in the head and putting your body through so much. But I don’t know, mate. It’s a drug.”
If Warrington had walked away, no one would blame or begrudge him. The first male world champion from Leeds, he put town on the map in boxing phrases, giving the working-class followers an icon of their very own to observe. The title win over Lee Selby at Elland Road, the defences in opposition to Carl Frampton and Kid Galahad. The stuff desires are made from.
But it is the highs that claw fighters again in. The feeling most of us won’t ever have. Emerging from the smoke with 1000’s cheering your identify. Stepping by way of the ropes, simply you, the opponent, and your followers keen you ahead. Making reminiscences.
“It’s exciting to be part of something that could be spoken about for years to come … You’re making history,” Warrington says. “When I set out, I never thought that anything like this was going to happen, but I’ve achieved some amazing things throughout my career.”
The humble fighter catches himself: “Blowing smoke up on my own backside! But this is why you’re part of it.”
And there it’s. The boy from part of the nation many argue has been forgotten by the policymakers and elite in London, who dared to dream and had all of it come true. No surprise it is laborious to step away.
But there’s something else as nicely. The chilly reality each fighter faces.
If not boxing, then what?
It’s a actuality not misplaced on Warrington, though he hasn’t uncared for it. “In my head I was done,” he says. “I was a bit lost because I’ve always had an idea of what I want to do after boxing, but where do you start?”
Warrington has enterprise pursuits away from the game, however he wasn’t able to step away from the construction, self-discipline and routine that has been pressured on him by boxing for so long as he can keep in mind.
“You’re always looking three, four months ahead every year and all of a sudden … BAM! That stops,” he explains. “That routine just goes out window, the diet goes out the window, the schedule goes out the window, and you just become ‘a civvy.’
“I assume that scares me.”
Of course, Warrington hasn’t trudged this journey alone. Dad and trainer Sean O’Hagan has been with him through the highs and lows. If anyone would step in and say enough-is-enough, it would be his own father. But, in preparation for the Wood rematch, camp has been like travelling back in time.
“The complete camp, to be sincere, it has been like turning the clock again 5 years,” O’Hagan stated.
O’Hagan himself admits that’s what he’s supposed to say, but the belief is that Warrington has one or two more special nights in him.
“For me personally, they’re all the time particular nights” he tells ESPN. “We’ve been right here an extended, very long time now. Of course we’re proud, we have put Leeds on the map, have not we.”
His face lights up when describing the moment the fight arrives. The hardest work has been done, now it’s time to dance.
“Whether we’re at residence, away, it would not matter where we’re, as a result of you get in that ring … All you’ve bought is slightly sq., no one’s bought wherever to go and you’re there and that takes over. Adrenaline will get pumping, your eyes are fixated in your opponent, you’re simply going to go to warfare.
“So it doesn’t matter if you’re at home, it doesn’t matter if you’re away. You’ve got a job to do.
“I am unable to wait … Special evening.”
Indeed, another huge occasion under the lights beckons. The rematch has everything. Rivalry, tension, a storyline and, where Warrington is concerned, redemption. He believes he was unfairly stopped in the first fight with Wood. The Leeds faithful will now travel the 73 miles south to their rival city with the promise of another memorable fight and hopes of their boy get his hand raised.
Last one or not, Warrington will enjoy it, with a feeling he is content with his career.
“If I turned to a younger Josh Warrington and stated: ‘When you become older, you’re going to be a world champion twice and make so many nice reminiscences’ I would not consider it.
“But you do dream…”
