Leeds-born professional boxer Josh Warrington still dreams of taking Leeds United fans to the United States.
Warrington knocked out Kiko Martinez to become a two-time world champion in March, despite bravely fighting on with a broken jaw. The 31-year-old is due to defend his IBF World Featherweight title against Luis Alberto Lopez in Leeds on December 10.
He boasts a professional record of 31-1-1 (8 KOs) but has never fought outside of Europe. Warrington says he wishes to follow in the footsteps of fellow Brits Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe by fighting in the US.
"I maybe sound a little bit obsessed with going to America, but it's one of those things that you want to tick off the box," Warrington told talkSPORT.
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He added: "I grew up watching the likes of Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe, seeing them go over there, I even seen Carl Frampton fight out there before I boxed him myself.
"I remember there was a little moment where I was walking along the [Las Vegas] strip, stood on the bridge and I could see the green and white army walking down. I thought I'd love to mimic that and have the Leeds fans out there, but the casinos might not appreciate them.
"Leeds United can take the fans around Europe, but they can't take them to the States."
Warrington was sidelined for a significant period of time after defeating Martinez but returned to the gym as soon as he could.
He refused to rest on his laurels and compared his obsession with boxing to Cristiano Ronaldo's with football.
“It’s easy to just sit on the sofa and do nothing,” Warrington said. "I got suspended from training for a long time, because of my hand and broken jaw.
“But, I’m at the top of my game and if you compare it to another athlete at the top of their game, Cristiano Ronaldo in football, he’s not going to be sat about in between games and at pre-season he’s training constantly trying to better himself.
“One of the reasons I’ve got to where I am in my career is because I’m just obsessed with it. I have the rest of my life to get fat and eat pie.”
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