Boxing world give their unique predictions for Josh Warrington vs Kid Galahad world title fight
It was today [March 19] announced that Josh Warrington (28-0) will make the second defence of his IBF world featherweight title against mandatory challenger Kid Galahad (26-0) at the Leeds Arena on June 15th.
It will be a hometown return for Warrington in the all-Yorkshire grudge match against his old amateur rival that beat him in both fights in the unpaid code when they met.
Galahad, real name Barry Awad, already made his prediction that Josh's dad, who trains him, will "stop the fight because he will make an emotional decision and throw in the towel around round six, seven or eight.”
So BBN asked pro boxers, trainers, managers and writers for their more impartial take on the world title fight between The Leeds Warrior and the Sheffielder.
Dmitriy Salita
Salita Promotions (and Jarrell Miller's Manager)
"It looks like a great match up between two of the best featherweights in the world in their peak.
Although it’s a fight with two UK fighters, it's making big news in the US. Judging by big fight experience and a richer resume of convincing success against top level competition, I have to give the upper hand to Warrington. But I look forward to a great fight and a fun build up."
Robbie Davies Jr
British super-lightweight champion
"Great fight. And Happy to see Galahad finally getting his opportunity for the world title.
I think Warrington is a very strong and improving fighter with every fight. But I know how dedicated and focused Kid Galahad is 24/7, in and out of camp. He's got so much skills to go with it, I feel he will win on points and will be a breakout fight on to the world stage for Kid G."
Steve Wood
Promoter – VIP Promotions (and Josh Warrington's manager)
"Like other boxers who have already fought Josh, I strongly believe Kid Galahad will get the shock of his life. He will have underestimated his strength, the power in the punches and how clever he is using his tremendous work rate – he will deffo be stopped!"
Jamie Speight
Three-time Southern Area champion
"I have shared the ring with Josh over 10-rounds for the English featherweight title and then went on to train with him under his dad Sean for two years, and for me many factors affect this fight all swinging in the favour of Josh Warrington.
He is the busier fighter who has operated consistently at a higher level, Barry has never been in a position where he cannot stop the opponent coming forward and this will happen on fight night. Josh’s defence is very good and his natural boxing ability massively underrated, not too mention he is super fit all the time.
He will force Barry into awkward positions on the back foot from the very first bell, forcing mistakes and making him pay. Josh finds very unorthodox angles where he sneaks hooks in over the top and around the body area and he will consistently mix the atttacks from head to body, throwing punches in bunches and I think he will force a late stoppage. Either way, however it goes, I can only see a Warrington win."
Kane Cantell
Unbeaten lightweight prospect
"I think Warrington takes this one.
Both brilliant fighters and will be a classic fight, but Galahad hasn't fought anyone as tough and stong as Warrington.
I think Josh gets the TKO in the 10th – he is just too strong."
Dalton Smith
Super-lightweight debutant signed to Matchroom Boxing
"I know Kid Galahad well and sparred with him since we were kids. He's obviously a great fighter, but I think Warrington will have too much for him in the later rounds. As the champion, he's a bit more experienced at that level and his engine might be too much in the championship rounds. Galahad is a great technician, a great fighter, so you never know what can happen, but I'm going with Warrington on a points decision."
Johnny Edwards
Head Coach at Guildford City Gym
"Josh Warrington is on a high after his last two victories over Selby and Frampton, and I don’t think Galahad beats Selby, so easy work this one – Warrington wide points win or ninth-round stoppage."
Miles Shinkwin
Former English light-heavyweight champion
"I think after Josh's last fight you’ve got to favour him here. Carl Frampton is one of very few elite fighters in the UK and Josh put on a great performance to get the win.
If there is any justice then Barry won’t get the win, after his drugs ban many believe he shouldn’t even be getting this opportunity.
Josh on points or late stoppage although my boxing predictions lately have been pretty shocking."
Matt Marsh
Former British super-bantamweight champion
"Josh Warrington wins by late stoppage. He has been looking good in his last few fights, so I think he will be too much for Galahad."
Ryan Clark
Director of buymyfight.com
“This is really difficult to call. I’m a fan of Galahad. His technique and boxing ability is good, and definitely destined for world honours. It’s a question of whether that skill can beat the heart, fight and determination of Warrington? I’d usually say yes, but I’ve gained a new found respect for Josh after beating Selby and Frampton. Is the run about to end or has it only just started? I think it’s a flip of a coin and if there’s to be a changing of the guard, it wouldn’t be surprising if that’s Kid Galahad to make it happen, but purely based on the last two fights I’d have to edge towards a points win for Warrington and perhaps a rematch to avenge it within a year.”
Erol Ceylan
Promoter
"Kid will win the fight if he can hunt / catch Josh, because he is a puncher. Over the points, Josh will win easy."
Tey Lynn-Jones
Southern Area middleweight champion
"I think this is the first prediction in a while where my head and heart are both in agreement, especially after his win against Frampton; I believe Warrington will win, fan-favourite too on this one and believe more people will want him to win too over Kid."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"It's a tough one to call, this. I rate Kid Galahad very highly and think that he is perhaps the better of the two, technically, in this fight, especially since he learnt his skills under the tutelage of the late great Brendan Ingle, now trained by his son Dominic, that counts for a lot. He's slick, doesn't get hit much, and has a backhand that rarely misses the target.
Josh is the unbeaten defending champion and will carry that confidence into the fight. His workrate is truly remarkable and when he fights like he did against Selby and Frampton, I can't see him being beaten by anyone at the moment. If I had to pick, I'd go with Warrington on points."
Nathan Weise
Three-time Southern Area title contender
"Josh Warrington vs Kid Galahad is a really good fight, I like Galahad, very skilful but what I've seen of Warrington…that guy's relentless!"
Aqib Tahlat
BBN Writer
"This is a great fight and it’s really good that we will get to witness this.
I feel josh Warrington will take this one due to his level of opponents and how much he is improving fight on fight. He’s coming off an impressive win over a world class boxer in Carl Frampton so I'm going with Warrington on points."
Daniel Smith
BBN Writer
"Josh Warrington and Kid Galahad are more than capable of mixing it up to grab an ugly win for the sake of the IBF world featherweight title.
Galahad generates decent thudding power in both hands and certainly possesses the potential to hurt his man. Warrington will undoubtedly set a 100mph pace for this fight, so the Sheffield man needs to be like a whippet out of a trap on hearing the clang for round one: in and out with swift, vicious, propelling attacks, nicking the rounds one-by-one.
However, his attempts to unthread and dethrone the champion may be suffocated early doors, as Josh will be fierce and ferocious, ready to see-off anyone who threatens his IBF reign. Warrington will be jacked and raring to go for this fight, running at his opponent, chasing him down; his hands hyper-sensitive to a gentle squeeze of the trigger as he unleashes a powerhouse-glut of leathered damage, hitting Galahad hard, fast and often.
Warrington vs Galahad is anticipated to be a brutal, accelerating and, overall, a cracking fight. For me, Warrington keeps his strap by way of stoppage."
Joe Neale
Boxing Matchmaker / PR
"This is a really underrated fight, Galahad is in his prime, plus all-round very good and can punch a bit as well. Warrington is clear favourite and I would expect him to win a competitive points decision."