Joel Brunker vs Josh Warrington - Commonwealth Title - Sept 5th

[Redback Rasta]

Josh Brunker's Commonwealth Title shot against the unbeaten Josh Warrington (21-0) in the UK is this weekend.



Brunker 28-1 became Warrington's mandatory after bouncing back with a win against Laspinas, after being stopped by Lee Selby.

[Redback Rasta]

13,000 capacity stadium already sold out Warrington vs Brunker and Murray vs Torres >>>

Brunker Braced For Biggest Fight

Australia's Joel Brunker can set up a world title tilt when he contests the biggest fight of his boxing career against unbeaten English featherweight Josh Warrington on Saturday night.

The bout will be broadcast live on TV in the UK from Warrington's home city of Leeds where the 13,000-capacity arena is sold out.

Victory for Brunker (29-1), will put him in the frame for a world title shot against WBC champion Gary Russell Junior or a rematch with IBF belt holder Lee Selby - the only man to beat the 29-year-old.

Selby is widely regarded as the best featherweight to come out of Britain since Naseem Hamed, but he was made to work hard for his ninth-round win over Brunker in London last November.

Despite the loss, the Australian gained plenty of respect for the way he handled Selby, who went on to beat Russia's Evgeny Gradovich for the world title.

Brunker believes he let himself down against the Welshman and claims he's in much better shape to beat Warrington, who's been likened to Ricky Hatton for his all-out attacking style.

"I was out of the ring for 14 months and when I took the fight with Selby I was very unprepared," Brunker told AAP.

"I gave my best, but it was a rusty performance and far from my best.

"I learnt a lot from the fight and it'll only help me improve. A win against Warrington puts me in the mix for a second shot against Selby."

From Western Sydney, Brunker has struggled to find decent opponents and exposure in Australia in recent years and his only fight since Selby was a two-round win over Filipino Ray Laspinas in Sydney seven months ago.

He admits moving to the UK or the US to get bigger fights has crossed his mind.

"Australia doesn't really get behind boxing, which is disappointing," he said.

"The headlines are all NRL and cricket, which don't get me wrong they're great sports.

"But it's disheartening when you work your backside off and the massive fight you have coming up doesn't even rate a mention in the headlines.

"Australian boxing has so much talent, but there just isn't the financial backing to grow the sport.

"I still work as a bricklayer and unlike most professional athletes I still have to work as well as train full time to support my family."

Brunker's front-foot style matches up well against the Yorkshireman who boasts a 21-0 record.

"My best performances were against fighters who come forward and throw a lot," he said.

"Warrington is the perfect opponent for me to shine."

http://www.sportsfan.com.au/brunker-bra ... fault.aspx?

[Redback Rasta]

BRUNKER TALKING TOUGH AHEAD OF ROAD FIGHT VS. WARRINGTON

Press Release: Australian featherweight Joel Brunker says that all talk of his next opponent, Josh Warrington, facing current IBF Champion Lee Selby in an all-UK showdown will be moot when he hands Warrington his first defeat tomorrow night (Saturday, September 5th). Brunker (28-1, 16 KOs) will face hometown hero Warrington (21-0, 4 KOs) at the First Direct Arena, Leeds, Yorkshire in the United Kingdom.

"The media over here keeps talking about Josh Warrington fighting Lee Selby next in an all-English showdown, but they aren't focusing enough on what's about to happen," said Brunker. "I'm coming in tomorrow night to take Warrington out!"

Brunker's only career loss was to Selby in October 2014. In his last fight, Brunker stopped Ray Laspinas of the Philippines in two rounds last February at the Richmond Club in Richmond, New South Wales, Australia.

"What they should be getting ready for is my rematch with Selby because that's what's going to happen and this time I'll be ready for him," Brunker continued.

"They seem to be overlooking Joel somewhat over here and talking about the Selby fight as though it's a foregone conclusion," said Brunker's co-promoter, Greg Cohen (along with Adam Wilcock of FightCard Promotions). "It's a huge mistake on their part to overlook Joel because he's coming in here to set up a rematch with Selby by beating this undefeated guy."

http://www.boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php?aid=28700

WAR BRUNKER

[Redback Rasta]

Official weigh in >>>

Josh Warrington 57.20

Joel Brunker 56.70

[DA GOOSE]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoklOdaBGlk

Joel will be dealing with a parochial crowd. This just the weigh in.

[Like a Boss]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoklOdaBGlk

Joel will be dealing with a parochial crowd. This just the weigh in.

A good example of why fighters who go overseas and come back with titles like Solimon did, and Geale did twice, need to be fully commended.

[Beltane]

Full marks to Joel for going into the lion's den, but all three judges at ringside made it 120-108 for Warrington.

Scroll down on this link if you wish to get a round by round description:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2561 ... highlights

[Redback Rasta]

Just summarising the results >>>

Josh Warrington defeated Joel Brunker (UD)

Martin Murray defeated Jose Miguel Torres (TKO 5)

Tony Bellew defeated Arturs Kulikauskis (TKO 5)

Khalid Yafai defeated Aron Juarez (KO 1)

[Redback Rasta]

"Thank you to everyone who supported me. It means the world. I gave it all I had, but just wasn't good enough." - Joel Brunker

Warrington visits Brunker after the fight >>>

[DA GOOSE]

Damn that sucks. Bad luck Joel.

[bogan whisperer]

Credit to Brunker for having the balls to step up and test himself. No shame in losing to a better man. Shame is the domain of those without the balls to step up and who instead settle for the safety of untested mediocrity.