Josh Warrington regained the IBF featherweight world title with a seventh round stoppage of Kiko Martinez at the Leeds Arena on Saturday night.
After the referee stepped in to stop the fight with the Spaniard taking a barrage of unanswered punches on the ropes, Warrington celebrated with a Robbie Keane-style tumble in the ring.
Warrington - known as the Leeds Warrior - was fighting in front of his home crowd. Last week, after Luke Ayling scored an injury time winner for Leeds against Wolves, he too did an imitation of Keane's celebration. Warrington was led to the ring on Saturday by Ayling. Keane spent a season-and-a-half at Leeds 20 years ago, scoring 18 goals, which would have been celebrated his trademark cartwheel.
Josh Warrington does Robbie Keane celebration
WARRINGTON KO'S KIKO 💥#MartinezWarrington2 pic.twitter.com/tPsJAmJb14
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 26, 2022
Warrington first won the IBF title four years ago when he defeated Lee Selby at Elland Road. He was led to the ring that night by Leeds legend Lucas Radebe.
"I got me belt back," Warrington, despite suffering a broken jaw, said after Saturday's win.
"You know, it wasn't just for me, it wasn't just for my family, for my wife and kids - it was for all these who supported me. I got seven bells knocked out of me by Mauricio Lara. They were there supporting me to get revenge at Headingley. Come back for the world title, they're there again.
Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper celebrate with Josh Warrington backstage after the Leeds Warrior reclaimed the IBF featherweight title. #lufc
📸Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing pic.twitter.com/0rR6DqsnA2— Ben McKenna (@benmckennaJPI) March 27, 2022
"We might not do the same numbers as the big boys - the AJ's and the Furys - but I'd rather have an arena full of these lots than fucking 100,000 tourists any day of the week.
"I know I'm not Eddie's favourite cup of tea - Yorkshire tea - but when I'm on it, and these lot turn out, he knows there's nothing like it in the world, nevermind this country.
"Love you a lot, Leeds!"
"Champion again... champion again" - @J_Warrington 👑#MartinezWarrington2 pic.twitter.com/751pA8mGDb
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 26, 2022
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