Big Fight Preview & Prediction: Warrington vs Galahad

Big Fight Preview & Prediction: Warrington vs Galahad 

Josh Warrington makes the second defence of his IBF featherweight title tonight against the fellow unbeaten challenger Kid Galahad at the First Direct Arena in Warrington’s hometown.

After being expected to lose to Lee Selby and Carl Frampton, the Leeds hero this time is the betting favourite to inflict the first defeat on his Sheffield rival.

But is this where danger could lie, Warrington, has made no secret of his desire to unify the division, will he have the same fire against someone he is widely expected to beat.

However, Galahad shouldn’t be underestimated. Unbeaten in 26 fights, Galahad quietly, almost unnoticed, has fully earned his opportunity. The former British, Commonwealth and European champion, albeit at super-bantamweight, and the IBF’s top-ranked featherweight fighter might not have the resume of Selby and Frampton, but is more than capable and is definitely a live underdog.

Galahad (26-0) has said boxing is his life, he lives and breathes the sport, he does little else. Galahad thinks he has the hunger that Warrington has lost, wishful thinking perhaps.

But Warrington (28-0) strongly refutes the claim and says he is as hungry as ever, but he wouldn’t be the first champion to let it slip once he had reached the summit.

The doubts still remain by some on Warrington, he will probably always be fighting for full respect. Selby was dead at the weight, Frampton was on the slide, are all the things that Warrington has to consistently hear.

But while there may be some truth in those statements, Warrington was simply brilliant in both fights, a wouldn’t be denied attitude. Warrington beat what was in front of him, he deserves his due.

Galahad has a style that is perceived as awkward and a problem no fighter has yet to solve. But Warrington must be a nightmare to fight, a relentless soul breaking pace, and seems to be punching with a little more weight now.

There are doubts about Warrington if you believe his critics, but there are far more about Galahad. How good is the Ingle protege, the camp sound extremely confident, but I wonder just how much the fighter really is.

Galahad like Selby and Frampton will need space and time, Warrington simply won’t oblige. From the opening bell, Galahad will find Warrington in his face, and I don’t see much changing through the course of the fight.

Galahad, when even someone with the gas tank of Warrington needs to breathe, will then have his moments, but that’s all he will have.

It won’t be easy, but I think Galahad will be taken to a place he’s never been before, and one he will be in no rush to visit again. While I wouldn’t rule out a late stoppage, a hard-fought, but clear points win for Warrington is the likely outcome.