At the First Direct Arena, Leeds, hometown favorite Josh Warrington was expected to be asked questions of by Australia’s Joel Brunker. Instead, Warrington put on one of British boxing’s finest masterclasses en route to landing a Unanimous Decision. All three ringside judges had no qualms handing in scores of 120-108, and neither did we at Boxing Base.
Brunker (28-2, 16 KO), the heavier puncher on paper, was expected to play the boss role in this Featherweight encounter. But in just the 1st round, Warrington (22-0, 4 KO) made it very clear he was willing to answer every shot his opponent threw. It got Brunker’s and the crowd’s attention.
From that point on, Warrington dominated the fight, putting in a nearly flawless victory. The 24-year-old looked rather special, not only demonstrating dazzling hand-speed and combinations, but absolute domination of a stronger opponent. Warrington never stopped throwing punches, and when he did, no holes were left open for Brunker to exploit.
After Brunker found no success in the first 3 rounds, he began to focus his shots to the body. But the 29-year-old’s gloves often failed to penetrate Warrington’s tight guard. Brunker was brave to go the distance in this 12-rounder, and though he kept plugging away, he often wore a disheartened expression when returning to his corner between rounds.
Warrington’s connect rate in the later rounds was staggering, but no stoppage was to materialize tonight. Warrington isn’t known for his power, but Brunker appeared to be ready to go in the final 10 seconds of the 12th, likely from exhaustion and attrition. When the bell rang, Warrington knew he had just produced a breakthrough win that had blasted doors open to big fights.
Now, we could get all cynical and point out that world leaders, such as fellow countryman Lee Selby, pose far greater threats than Brunker. Of course they do. But short of a step up in class (perhaps Eddie Hearn could fly over Evgeny Gradovich again?), we don’t really know how Warrington would fare against Featherweight top dogs. For now, let’s just be happy with this scintillating performance. Another class fighter has entered the Featherweight mix. And that only makes the 126 pound division even hotter.
On the Warrington-Brunker undercard, things were kind of…meh. Martin Murray and Tony Bellew and co took care of business inside the distance against unthreatening foes. Luckily Warrington saved this show from being remarkably forgettable, as did Jamie Speight and Issac Lowe for their gritty, exciting match-up. Andy Townend and Lee Glover also produced a good scrap.
Warrington-Brunker: Round by Round
Round 1: Warrington starting well, but Brunker is looking solid himself. Brunker going to the body. Now Warrington to the body, lands a left-hook upstairs. Both have speed. Warrington, 10-9
Round 2: Warrington is the more dynamic fighter, Brunker standing tall, coming forward in straight lines. Warrington dazzling combination. Warrington backs up Brunker onto the ropes. Warrington answering every shot Brunker throws. Double-jab from Warrington. Zipping shots from Warrington. Brunker looks like he may be out of his depth. Warrington, 10-9 (20-18)
Round 3: Three-punch combination gets through from Warrington. Really tasty stuff. Economical. Accurate. Brunker back to the body. Probably the smartest move against a lively foe like Warrington. Warrington unloads four straights, clean-landing. Brunker looking a little one-dimensional here. Double-jab from Warrington. Warrington, 10-9 (30-27)
Round 4: Warrington cannot miss. Brunker needs to find something and fast. Serious speed and poison on Warrington’s arsenal. If this carries on, we can expect a stoppage. Brunker looking disheartened. Knows he’s up against it. Brunker snaps Warrington’s head back with a rare jab. Warrington, 10-9 (40-36)
Round 5: Brunker suffers a cut to left side of his scalp. Looks like the result of a head clash. Warrington jabbing. Warrington is not placing a step wrong in this fight. Brunker is simply outclassed in every area here. Brunker cut is from accidental head clash. Warrington, 10-9 (50-45)
Round 6: Warrington all over Brunker. Can’t miss. Body. Head. All unanswered shots. Complete domination, I mean, what more can be said? Warrington, 10-9 (60-54)
Round 7: Warrington cleanly lands 4-5 punch straight combo. A stoppage is surely close to materializing. What a statement from Warrington. Brunker is touching Warrington, but can’t find the holes to do damage. Warrington, 10-9 (70-63)
Round 8: Brunker’s corner would be doing him a favor to pull him out now. Double-jab from Warrington. Left-hook. Masterclass performance. Clinic. All those words come to mind. Brunker in all kinds of trouble against this kid. Warrington blocking majority of Brunker’s body shots – as he has throughout the fight. Warrington, 10-9 (80-72)
Round 9: Warrington a tornado. Brunker has no need to be in the ring any longer. Corner, please pull this guy out. Enough is enough. Warrington, 10-9 (90-81)
Round 10: One-way traffic. Will we see mercy from the referee or Brunker’s corner? Warrington, 10-9 (100-90)
Round 11: All Warrington still, but Brunker is biting down on his gumshield, fighting on. Domination in every sense of the word. Warrington, 10-9 (110-99)
Round 12: Warrington, Warrington, Warrington. Brunker will see the final bell, but at what cost? Huge win for Warrington. Warrington, 10-9 (120-108)
Result: Warrington wins via Unanimous Decision (120-108 thrice)
Boxing Base Scorecard: 120-108
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