Josh Warrington will defend his Commonwealth Featherweight title at First Direct Arena in Leeds on Wednesday, May 21, marking the first Matchroom Boxing show in the city.
The 23 year old Leeds man defended his title in style on Saturday night at the Phones 4u Arena in Manchester, forcing the retirement of former World title challenger Rendall Munroe after eight rounds of his first defense of the belt he won in Hull in November.
There’s a huge fight on the bill for Stephen Smith as he faces Fernando David Saucedo for the Argentinian’s WBC Silver Featherweight title in a crunch eliminator bout and there’s a Yorkshire derby as Doncaster’s Gavin McDonnell defends his British Super Bantamweight title against Barnsley’s Josh Wale and Hull star Tommy Coyle returns to action on a night that promoter Eddie Hearn says will be the first of many big events in the city with rising star Warrington at the heart of it all.
“We’ve been lucky enough to host the Premier League Darts at the First Direct Arena recently with 11,000 fans who created an electric atmosphere,” said Hearn. “I’ve been looking at bringing boxing to Leeds since the Arena opened and now with Josh Warrington on the title scene, it’s perfect timing.
“Josh can be a major flag bearer for boxing in Leeds and fans can expect a first class night of action. Stephen Smith is presented with a huge opportunity taking WBC Silver champion Fernando David Saucedo in a World title eliminator and Gavin McDonnell takes on Josh Wale in a lively Yorkshire derby. Fresh from his Fight of the Year contender, Tommy Coyle also returns to action chasing a World title shot – we are looking forward to a new era in Leeds.”
