JOSH: NO NEED FOR HOME HELP

JOSH WARRINGTON has warned Carl Frampton that he doesn’t need the added incentive of a packed Elland Road crowd behind him to win a big fight. The Leeds lad claimed his IBF world featherweight title from Lee Selby at the famous old stadium in May, with the vast majority of the 25,000-odd crowd roaring him on against the Welshman.

His first defence, however, will be across the Pennines at the Manchester Arena on Saturday, in the city where Northern Irishman Frampton now bases himself for training camps.

But Warrington (right) is adamant that won’t make any difference. He said: “It won’t be a problem at all. My first 15 fights were on the road, I’ve boxed away from home many times.

“When I was fighting for English titles away from home in my opponent’s backyard or my Commonwealth title away from home as a massive underdog, they were the biggest fights at that stage of my career. So I was used to dealing with the pressure, dealing with being the away fighter and that comes with experience.

“I used to get excited about being the away fighter because you just want to turn round and silence their fans.

“My last seven fights, I’ve boxed at home and obviously for the last one I had a packed stadium behind me. But this is going to be 50-50 in terms of noise level and it gets to a stage where you don’t need to rely on the crowd any longer.” Frampton, meanwhile, is adamant he’ll not touch another drop of alcohol until he has hung up his gloves.

The former two-weight world champion hasn’t let a drop touch his lips since going on a bender at a 50 Cent rap concert last Christmas. He said: “I’m living the life of a professional athlete now.

“I’m teetotal . I made a New Year resolution that I was going to stay off the booze until I pack in with the boxing.”