Josh Warrington Wins IBF Featherweight Title With Split Decision Win Over Lee Selby
In front of a raucous crowd at Elland Road in Leeds, England, Josh Warrington won his first world title in front of his hometown fans.
Competing in his first world title fight, Warrington defeated Selby by split decision (115-113 Selby, 116-112 Warrington, 115-113 Warrington) to win the IBF featherweight world title.
Warrington came out like a man on fire, throwing numerous power shots to Selby, who was unable to use his reach and height advantage to land any significant punches in the early going. After Selby got cut near the end of the second round, he managed to bounce back and outjab Warrington. The fight got nearly stopped midway through the fight with ringside doctors and the referee being worried Selby's cut was too deep.
The fight resumed and Selby got back to landing accurate punches and outworking Warrington. Selby got cut again late in the fight with Warrington's power still being the deciding factor. Although Selby mounted a strong effort to win the fight, it was too late for the champion to take the lead in the scorecards.
With many at ringside scoring the fight well in favor of Warrington, Elland Road was in complete shock at the announcement that the first scorecard was in favor of Selby, but the football stadium erupted in jubilation at the eventual announcement that Warrington is the new featherweight world champion. Warrington becomes the first boxing world champion from Leeds.
As for what is next for Warrington, there had been talks of the winner facing interim WBO featherweight champion Carl Frampton in Frampton's next fight in August, but promoter Frank Warren said in a post-fight interview that Warrington vs. Frampton likely will not happen when Frampton steps into the ring on August 18 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
