Josh Warrington vs Kid Galahad Preview & Prediction
When is Josh Warrington vs Kid Galahad? Saturday 15th June, 2019 - 21:00 approx (UK)
Where is Josh Warrington vs Kid Galahad? First Direct Arena, Leeds, UK
What channel is Josh Warrington vs Kid Galahad on? BT Sport
What can I stream Josh Warrington vs Kid Galahad? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight via the BT Sport player
Are tickets still available for Josh Warrington vs Kid Galahad?
https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F005672F422C3CD?brand=uk_firstdirectarena
Josh Warrington continues his rise among the elite as he makes the second defence of his IBF featherweight title against the mandatory challenger Kid Galahad who is also protecting a perfect record.
These young lions have very impressive and similar records. Although Galahad is not a household name yet, this is a thrilling mandatory title fight. Let’s take a look at the tape to see how else they match-up:
Their record is not the only similarity as their stature is virtually identical and they both turned professional towards the end of 2009. Warrington has had a couple more fights and has had more ring time, experiencing 66 more rounds than Galahad who has had more success in finishing his opponents.
Interestingly, Warrington was in the same position as Galahad is now – challenging for his first world title as the underdog with a record of 26-0.
Warrington came of age in his last two fights by not only capturing and defending the title but by doing so against two of the very best British boxers of this era in Lee Selby and Carl Frampton. Warrington consistently improved leading up to these bouts and notched a few rare knockouts.
Galahad on the other hand is known for his finishing ability and pulled off seven in his last ten. There are no big names on his record but it does include tough opponents and as Warrington knows, amassing a record of 26-0 is not easy.
How do their opponents compare at the time they fought Warrington and Galahad?
Looking at their last 15 fights, we begin to see a difference. Warrington’s opponents have been far more experienced and has gone into his fights with better records. Collectively, Warrington’s opponents have earned 96 more wins and on average won 80% of their fights whereas although Galahad has fought tough fighters such as Toka Kahn Clary and Jazza Dickens, the rest of his opponents have not had much to write home about with an average win percentage of 67%.
PREDICTION
We know Warrington does not possess one-punch knockout power but he does possess phenomenal stamina and gets the job done with an aggressive, relentless and technical output. Galahad also has what it takes to grind out a decision but has more power in his hands, finding the knockout easier to come by.
We can expect this fight to follow the pattern of both of their last two fights by going the distance and their average fight time and rounds fought suggest an early finish is very unlikely.
The pressure is different for Warrington going into this fight as the favourite and defending his belt but he is brimming with confidence after his last two contests. He will also be making his ninth appearance at the First Direct Arena so will be very familiar and comfortable on the big stage. He was the underdog against the reigning champ Selby but blasted out of the gate, putting the Welshman on the back foot. He was more accurate, had better defence and cut Selby up by the sixth round. He did not have the power to put him away but kept a ferocious pace until the bell.
Defending his new crown against another elite fighter, Warrington did exactly the same. He put it on Frampton from the bell and even rocked him in the first and second rounds, keeping a pace that was too much for the former champion to handle.
Warrington cannot approach this fight any differently and let Galahad get comfortable. Galahad’s only realistic chance of winning is by catching Warrington stepping in. Galahad needs to weather the early storm and counter by attacking the chin and liver of Warrington. However, the difference in speed and experience of Warrington is likely to nullify any threat. Galahad has been successful standing in the pocket and throwing power shots but Warrington is a different beast. You cannot afford to be caught flat-footed at close range as the new champion will chew you up in flashes of combinations.
Warrington is expected to punish Galahad in the exchanges but one mistake is all Galahad needs to find an opening to counter. A knockout for Galahad is not beyond the realms of possibility but Warrington’s incredible engine and pace is likely to overwhelm Galahad and hand him his first career loss.
Prediction: Warrington via Decision