Josh Warrington had a dream. It involved winning a world title at his beloved Elland Road in front of a raucous army of his fellow Leeds United supporters.
On Saturday night, fantasy turned to reality as the 27-year-old defeated reigning champion Lee Selby to take the Welshman’s IBF featherweight world title belt in a gruelling encounter.
It was a shock but thoroughly deserved win for Warrington as he became the first man from Leeds to become a world champion boxer.
At a joint press conference with Selby in the Norman Hunter Suite at Elland Road on Tuesday, Warrington had insisted he would emerge victorious.
It was a bold claim but in the end Warrington’s bold rhetoric was totally justified.
Warrington was a considerable outsider ahead of the fight, but a career-best display allowed him to claim victory via a split decision 116-112 115-113 113-115.
It was a glorious victory for Warrington, who took his unbeaten record to 27 wins from as many fights.
The lad from a rough estate in east Leeds is a great story.
A former dental nurse who fixed teeth by day and knocked them out at night in the ring, he is a fine example of what can be achieved in life with dedication and desire.
Before the fight, the script had appeared a little too perfect.
He was accompanied on his ringwalk by Leeds United legend Lucas Radebe and Leeds band the Kaiser Chiefs played ‘I Predict A Riot’ as he entered the ring.
But Warrington justified all the hype with a barnstorming display, much to the delight of the home crowd.
"Elland Road, the Kaiser Chiefs playing me in, that was the stuff dreams are made of," said Warrington.
"I can't put it into words. What an occasion, what a night. I could die a happy man. How do you top that?
"I've just outfoxed and outboxed a brilliant champion in Lee Selby."
Selby, 31 did not speak to the media after a first defeat in nine years and just the second of his career.
But he later said he would move up a weight and posted on Twitter: "I was Britain's longest reigning world champion but it came at a price and I felt that last night.
"I've been making the featherweight limit for 10 years but it was just one fight too many at that weight and my performance reflected that.
"I will enjoy the summer with my family and then sit down with my team to plan the exciting challenge of becoming a two-weight world champion."
With former world champion Carl Frampton already declaring an interest in fighting the winner of the grudge match between Selby and Warrington, a bout at Windsor Park in Belfast now beckons Warrington.
Warrington added cautiously: "I will sit down with Frank [Warren, promoter] and look at our next options.
"Windsor Park might be too soon. I wouldn't mind going back to the arena in Leeds and defending my title.
"My heart says let's get it on, I am a big fan of Carl Frampton and it would be a big payday. But I prefer the end of the year. I need some time to let this sink in.
"We will weigh up options. [The] world's my oyster now isn't it?"
