Warrington’s tribute to sparring partner Adams

Unbeaten Leeds boxer Josh Warrington admits he will have Nicola Adams to thank if he fulfils his goal of a world featherweight title fight next year.

Warrington is a former gymmate of the double Olympic champion, with whom he will share the bill when boxing returns to their home city at the First Direct Arena tomorrow night.

Warrington, who faces experiencedspaniardkikomartinez, took up boxing at the age of six at Sharky’s gym in the city, where Adams was already becoming established.

He said: “Nicola was the only boxer I could spar with when I started because I was so small, and I never thought any different because she was a girl. She was just another boxer in the gym who could hold her own. I could see she was something special and even at that early stage I knew she could go on and win titles.”

Adams has not fought in Leeds since she made her boxing debut as a 13-year-old at a smoke-filled working men’s 0 Nicola Adams: Hoping to build on her pro debut. club in 1997. On Saturday she will make more history by fighting three-minute rounds for the first time against Maryan Salazar of Mexico, as she quickly builds on her pro debut last month. Adams said: “It means everything to me to be back fighting in my home city. I have always had so much support from the people of Leeds and I am still counting on that support today.”

Warrington,meanwhile,will bring in the crowds as he bids to take a significant step up in his career against an opponent who has acquitted himself well in previous bouts against Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg.