Josh Warrington insists Patrick Hyland has his full attention as he prepares for his bout at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on July 30. Warrington goes against Hyland as the Leeds hero looks to build up momentum for a title shot.
The 25 year old has been busy planning his August wedding and has had to contend with continued talk of a potential World title clash with IBF king Lee Selby, but Warrington knows he has to be on his guard in his latest outing.
Hyland enters the bout having challenged for the WBC World title against the talented American Gary Russell Jr in March and Warrington knows he has to be at his best against the dangerous Irishman to protect his World title ambitions – putting both World title talk and his forthcoming nuptials to the back of his mind.
“There’s a lot at risk against Patrick but that’s how it should be,” said Warrington. “I’ve seen how he fights and I know I’m not going to have to go looking for him. He comes to fight and has a dig on him, you need that bit of fear factor to go into fights and that’s what I have got – it should be a great fight for the fans on top of a brilliant card. The fans are going to be here from 5pm until the last bell and they’re in for a treat.
“Patrick has been on my radar for a while, a good year or so, he’s a very good fighter and as tough as they come, he’s got a good KO ratio and I am in for another hard night. I didn’t expect to be getting such a hard fight with the wedding coming up, I thought it might have been a bit of a tick over in the States or Germany, but all of a sudden there’s guys that want to fight and Eddie wanted to come back to Leeds with me headlining so we’ve got another tough fight in front of us with Patrick.
“I’m not looking at any other fight than a World title fight if I come through against Patrick. Whether it’s Selby or any of the other World champion’s, it doesn’t matter I’m ready now and I really want a World title fight next.
“That’s why my full attention is on Patrick. I know that this is a really tough fight against a guy that has operated at a higher level than I have, so I need to prove that I’m ready for the biggest fights out there.”
Doncaster Heavyweight tells Brixton rival he’s too fit for him
David Allen has warned Dillian Whyte he needs to be ready for 12 hard rounds when they clash for the vacant WBC International Heavyweight title at the Frist Direct Arena in Leeds on July 30, live on Sky Sports.
Allen took the clash with Whyte at three weeks’ notice but the Doncaster man is not concerned about a lack of fitness – saying that he’s the naturally fitter man and it’s the Brixton banger that needs to make sure he’s grafted in the gym in order to stay with the pace Allen will set.
“Dillian can have all the time in the world to prepare but it doesn’t matter,” said Allen. “I come from a track and field and football background – I am a fit man. No Heavyweight in the country bar Joshua can me match me for fitness.
“If Dillian is World class and can do 12 rounds at a pace, I’m up against it – he’s bigger than me, stronger than me, punches harder than me and is probably a better boxer, but if he can’t do 12 rounds at a pace then I am going to beat him.
“I’m not the biggest guy in the world but he’s got to be able to do 12 three minute rounds with me because I am not going to go anywhere. Say what you want about me, I’ll be in his face for 12 rounds at a pace – and Dillian is bang in trouble if he cannot do that.
“I’m not a Floyd Mayweather – I haven’t got the fancy tricks, I will be putting it all on the line, heart and soul balls to the walls for 12 rounds at a high pace – it’s going to be a hard, hard for both of us. I’m going to let my hands go but I’m not a fancy dan, it’s going to be a rough and tough war, and he needs to be ready.”
Allen dismissed concerns that the short notice could cost him on the night as he enters his first fight under new trainer Dominic Ingle.
“People are saying it’s come too soon and that I’m not ready for this, but when an opportunity comes along, you have to take it,” said Allen.
“For the first time in my life I’m starting to be professional, I’ve been ticking over in the gym and I’ve had a couple of weeks to get myself into the best condition possible. I’ve been ticking over in the gym and living the right life for a pro fighter, eating right, running lots and getting my weight right.
“Three weeks is a long time for me – that’s not been on my mind. Maybe it’s an advantage to him but mentally I’ve never wanted something so bad in my life. I’m in good shape, I’ve got my sparring in and this is too big to pass up because who knows when something like this will turn up again? I could say no and spend 18 months doing four-rounders at the Doncaster Dome. You have to grasp it with both hands.”
