Boxing
Leeds' Next Boxing Star: Koby McNamara Aims to Fill Josh Warrington’s Boots
Koby McNamara, a passionate Leeds supporter and undefeated bantamweight boxer, believes he can become the city’s next boxing hero, following in the footsteps of Josh Warrington after his potential retirement.
Image Credits: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images
Koby McNamara is convinced he can fill the void created by Josh Warrington’s suspected retirement by becoming Leeds’ next boxing hero.
Warrington left his gloves in the ring as he suffered his third defeat in a row by unanimous decision to Belfast’s Anthony Cacace on the undercard to Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois almost two weeks ago.
A New Hero for Leeds
Like two-time world featherweight champion Warrington, who was bidding to become IBO super-featherweight champion, both McNamara and his family are passionate supporters of Daniel Farke’s side.
After noting how the 33-year-old mobilised the Elland Road fan base to become one of the biggest ticket sellers on the domestic boxing scene, McNamara insisted his own footballing credentials could see him command similar crossover appeal.
“I’m from Leeds, I’m a huge Leeds supporter and I go to the games,” McNamara told SportsBoom.com.
The backing I already get from the people there is phenomenal and hopefully it’s only going to keep getting bigger and bigger.
Koby McNamara
Warrington’s Legacy and Inspiration
“What Josh did was amazing. He had the whole club and the whole club behind him.”
“I mean this with the utmost respect - because I’ve got nothing but that for Josh - but it might be time now for someone else to step up and I’m certain that can be me.”
“People from Leeds back their own,” McNamara continued. “We get behind each other and stick up for each other, no matter what.”
“Whenever I go to the matches and someone finds out what I do, they tell me ‘If you’re one of us then we’ll come along to one of your shows then.’ And they do. That tells you all you need to know.”
“My dad, Mark, went viral on social media with one of his goal celebrations. He’s Leeds through and through as well. We’re all over the country and we love one of our own.”
A Leeds United Connection
Aged 24, McNamara kept his unblemished record against Kiernan McAfee last Friday on a GBM Promotions card which also featured former world title challenger Hughie Fury and IBF European and WBO Global middleweight champion Shak Thompson.
The bantamweight made his debut at an events venue run by The Whites and three of his seven outings since have also taken place within the shadow of their famous stadium.
Two others have been staged on Yorkshire’s most prestigious boxing stages - Sheffield’s Utilita Arena and the First Direct Arena in Leeds, where McNamara fought on the same night as Warrington, previously the IBF featherweight, faced Luis Alberto Lopez.
Unbeaten and Hungry for Success
Warrington had previously won the belt by defeating Lee Selby inside a packed Elland Road.
“When I first started out, I’d have never have dreamt of appearing on one of Josh’s shows,” reflected McNamara, whose first taste of combat sports came via Muay Thai.
“I just soaked it all up, being a part of something like that, and the aim is to be leading nights like that of my own.”
As a fighter, they say you’re in there by yourself. But with Leeds behind me, just like they are with Josh, I can definitely do it.
Koby McNamara
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.