Josh Warrington knows beating Joel Brunker is key to earning shot at world champion Lee Selby
Monday 31 August 2015 16:01, UK
Josh Warrington knows beating Joel Brunker on Saturday may prove pivotal in his bid to earn a world title shot at Lee Selby.
Speculation that Wales' Selby will put his IBF featherweight strap on the line at Warrington's beloved Elland Road next year is continuing but the Leeds fighter is fully focused on Australia's Brunker.
Selby beat Brunker (28-1-KO16) via a ninth-round stoppage in October and the unbeaten Warrington (21-0-KO4) knows he is expected to make a statement at the weekend in front of his adoring home fans.
Speaking at a public workout in Leeds, Warrington told Sky Sports News HQ: "Just turning up today and seeing how many people have turned up for a public workout gives me a little taste of what it's going to be like on Saturday.
We'll take every fight as it comes but hopefully down the line, that's what we're aiming for. Every fight at this level is a big fight.
"I'm dead excited and it's going to be a busy crowd. It'll be a good fight as well. I'm expecting a tough fight. Joel's a good kid and you don't get a record like his without being a decent prospect.
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"I've trained hard for it and I'm ready for whatever he brings."
On the possibility of facing Selby, the 24-year-old added: "It's what keeps getting mentioned and I'm not going to turn around and say I'm not interested in the fight. It definitely whets the appetite but I've got to get through this one on Saturday.
"We'll take every fight as it comes but hopefully down the line, that's what we're aiming for. Every fight at this level is a big fight. There are no easy fights so I've got to be at my best on Saturday.
"Camp has gone well. Joel is not an easy opponent so I've got that fear factor back in training. It's made me train harder. If I want to progress to world titles, then I've got to win on Saturday."
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