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Boxing

Leeds 2-0 London? More than local pride on the line for Josh Warrington and Ishmael Davis with crucial bouts

Leeds 2-0 London? More than local pride on the line for Josh Warrington and Ishmael Davis with crucial boutsDAZN
At contrasting stages of their career, two fighters from the far end of the M1 will seek to write new chapters in the capital tonight.

If you're from Leeds, you'll have known who Josh Warrington was before anybody else did.

The featherweight fighter, born and raised in the United Kingdom's third-largest city, was a superstar on the streets before he conquered the rest of the country, and then the world.

The Leeds Warrior, as he is known to his fans, is one of the most iconic modern-day sports stars to emerge from West Yorkshire in recent years.

DAZN Bet £5 offerHe is a two-time world champion, with mutliple headline bouts at the city's First Direct Arena, and others at the iconic Elland Road and Headingley Stadium.

Yet since a first career loss in 2021, to Mauricio Lara, Warrington has struggled to impose himself upon the division, with a draw and two further defeats dampening his lustre.

"For the name and the legacy"

As he steps up a division to face Anthony Cacace on the undercard of Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois tonight at Wembley Stadium, there is a chance to restore the shine.

But another reverse could well signal the start of the end for him, even as he continues to hold aspirations of a major bout overseas.

"It's for the name and the legacy," Warrington noted when asked about his decision to bulk up this week. "The last fight was a loss. No matter how well I boxed, it was a loss.

"I don't want to end it like that, and I still want to go to America. After that, I don't know. Once I start dipping, then I'll walk away."

Warrington will bring the noise. His fans, many of who are only as vociferous in support of Leeds United, will follow him to the ends of the earth. 

Napkin guesswork has suggested that his presence has ultimately helped summon an extra five-figure number in admissions for a fight card where he is midway on the bill.

But as he wrestles with a date with destiny that may very well shape the end of his career, another local lad from the same hometown is looking to announce himself to the world.

"What other chance is better than this?"

Ishmael Davis had no plans to step into the ring at Wembley. He had a bout scheduled for late October, against Uisma Lima for the IBF Intercontinental super welterweight title.

Liam Smith's exit from the undercard however has catapulted a man who has fought just three times outside the LUFC Banqueting Suite onto the biggest stage in world boxing.

Davis will lock horns with Josh Kelly, with the latter an overwhelming favourite to end the former's unbeaten 13-0 record across a six-year professional career.

It is the stuff of cinematic dreams, in a manner of speaking, but despite his unexpected brush with the limelight, the 29-year-old is thoroughly unfazed.

"I love a challenge," he said at the public workouts on Wednesday this week. "If you want to prove yourself in something, what other chance is better than this?

"I believe I’m going to the top of the sport, and this is a chance for me to showcase my skills on a higher level against a better opponent that’s going to make me better."

Four years younger than Warrington, but with less than half as many fights under his belt, Davis may not walk away from the contest with another win to his name.

Yet if he can deliver on his vows, then he may yet become another local hero in the north of England - the next-generation of the Leeds Warrior, ready to take on the world.

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