'Serious thinking to do' - Leeds boxing hero Josh Warrington's candid career admission after loss to Leigh Wood
Leeds boxing hero Josh Warrington conceded he has some “serious thinking to do” after his second loss to Leigh Wood.
Heading into their second bout, it was suggested both Warrington and Wood could be donning their gloves for the final time.
Warrington has delivered some of the most memorable moments in British boxing’s modern era, but it has been nearly four years since his last big arena win.
After being comfortably beaten by Wood on points at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, the ‘Leeds Warrior’ spoke candidly about the possibility of retirement.
Josh Warrington on his future
He told The Yorkshire Post: “A bit of inactivity over the last few years, with the gaps inbetween the fights, it’s probably taken a bit off me.
“I’ve got some serious thinking to do going forward but I’ll make a decision sooner rather than later.”
Temptation of another Leeds fight
When asked if he could be tempted to fight again in his beloved hometown, he said: “It’s always tempting, that’s for sure.
“I’d have to convince my old man, I’d have to convince my missus, I’d have to convince those closest to me. It’s one thing getting out there.
“This week, I’ve felt alive and I’d kind of forgot what the feeling is when you’re buzzing, you’re speaking, the adrenaline rushes because you’re ready to fire on all cylinders.
“Then, you’re sat alone in your hotel room and you’re s******* yourself at the same time about what could potentially happen.
“There’s no feeling like it and this is why boxers do carry on - and sometimes [for] a little bit too long. I don’t want to become one of those fighters. Today, in my hotel room, there’s moments where I hate that feeling of being in there, not knowing what’s to come.
“But today I thought ‘I can’t do this many more times’. I thought when I left my hotel room ‘it’ll all be over in a few hours and I’ll be buzzing and asking why I was s******* myself earlier’. I’ve been headlining shows for over 12 years now, had three kids, and I don’t know.”