Last night at Elland Road, home of course to Leeds United, Josh Warrington won the IBF Featherweight title with victory over Welsh boxer Lee Selby.
It was a sweet victory for local lad Warrington who is a self-confessed Leeds United fan. Winning the world title, and remaining unbeaten, at the ground where he watches his team left the Leeds lad saying that he could now die happy. It also left him craving a fry up.
The match itself was attended by over 22,000 boxing aficionados, amongst then many 1000s of Leeds United fans. The sound of ‘Marching on Together’, ‘All Leeds Are We’ and other Elland Road terrace favourites could be heard bouncing around the stadium.
There had been a fair amount of ‘needle’ between both Warrington and Selby in the build up to the bout. It was something that was referred to by Cardiff City player Anthony Pilkington in the following tweet:
Woah loads of Leeds fans out with the banter tonight. You all Wasn’t so confident Friday was you! Fair play to Warrington though very good performance tonight deserved it!!. So Cute having to turn to a boxer to win something at Elland Road though enjoy your night lads
— Anthony Pilkington (@Pilkington_11) May 19, 2018
The tweet itself does pick up on the doubt that many Warrington fans had ahead of the match-up with Selby, the Welshman being a slick and consummate boxer. However, the send off in saying “So Cute having to turn to a boxer to win something at Elland Road though” was bound to get a response from Leeds United fans.
It had the required and expected effect.
Leeds United fans respond to Anthony Pilikngton tweet
Bit low when a lot of people included my self wished you a speedy recovery from a leg break
— Nick Wilson (@NickLUFCWilson) May 20, 2018
How many games do you think you will play in the prem 0000000
— Mark Laurie (@weasel260967) May 20, 2018
Hahaha Jesus. Been promoted to prem and all he thinks about is leeds. Ffs
— LUFC (@sergeantwilkos) May 20, 2018
You’ll end up on loan at Bolton when you can’t even get into a team that will be bottom of the Prem by Xmas
— James (@JamesWood501) May 20, 2018
Had to look you up to be honest to see who you are, don’t worry found you in the “overpaid robbing a living average footballer category”, there’s plenty in there like you don’t worry
— Eamonn (@etmcg78) May 20, 2018
— Ryan Hickman (@Ryanlufc1992) May 20, 2018
Always in the bag, just convincing the uneducated like you. Now go and run along now, you have a club to look for cos you won’t be playing in the premier league
— Paul Brace (@paulbrace66) May 20, 2018