Warrington’s dad has downgraded motorhome plans but still eyeing return to top
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Sean O'Hagan is just about to launch into his defence of why he let his son Josh Warrington continue past four rounds against Mauricio Lara when he stops himself.
“Sorry, I've got to light me fag first,” said the father and trainer of the Leeds Warrior as he sparked up a cigarette.
O'Hagan isn't your average boxing coach. Nor is he one to hold back on his opinions.
It seemed the sensible decision was to throw in the towel as Warrington was getting beaten up by a heavy-handed Lara in an ugly fourth round last February, which saw the Yorkshireman floored.
O'Hagan was criticised for not throwing the towel in and the Leeds Warrior was later stopped in the ninth in a stunning upset, but he isn't fussed what others think of him. Except maybe his son.
“Listen, if I pulled him out, I wouldn't be training him now,” said O'Hagan.
“I know my fighters, I know when to pull them, and I know when not to pull them.
“Interestingly enough after that fourth round, we went on and won rounds.
“It wasn't like I should have pulled him out in the fourth and he got levelled in the fifth or sixth.
“He went on and came back into the fight. The criticism doesn't matter to me.
“This is the boxing game. If you don't want to take risks and you don't want the rough and tumble then go play football or tennis.
“You can get everything right 30 times, you can go the old fashioned way, English, British, Commonwealth, European, then your world title and defend it against one of the best fighters that there is in Carl Frampton and then something happens like it did in the last fight and everyone remembers you for that one thing or they focus on that.
“It don't matter to me, I'm focussed on my business.”
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O'Hagan's business is getting his son's career back on track this weekend in a rematch with the previously unknown Mexican at Headingley.
Warrington has admitted his dad – who he nicknamed 'Johnny Kebab' – has been a man on a mission in training camp. It has led to some heated discussions in the gym.
“Johnny Kebab is right back in style, no stone is left unturned,” said the coach.
“I've been a right b*****d during this camp.
“Josh will say, 'Why are we doing this?' and I'll say, 'Because I said so'.
“We are doing it my way and my way only. If it does go wrong then all fingers will be pointed at me won't they? You can't win in boxing.”
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O'Hagan feels like they overlooked Lara in the first outing at a behind-closed-door event at Wembley Arena.
They spent the week around the Mexican at the fight hotel but all the talk was about a bout with then WBA champion Can Xu.
“The long wait didn't help,” said O'Hagan. “We had three different dates for the fight, he was peaking at different times.
“It is one of them, I think he got complacent and my concerns were raised in an interview when he said 'I'll have this kid out in a couple of rounds'.
“Everyone was talking about Can Xu and overlooking this kid.
“Can Xu, Can Xu, Can Xu and nobody was mentioning Lara.
“Then when he beat us everyone was saying, 'You don't stand with a Mexican'. You don't stand with any fighter, you know what I mean? You box.
“Mauricio Lara is all we are thinking about now.
“It is a lesson not only to us but to any fighter, never overlook anyone.
“But so many good fighters have lost against the odds. Anthony Joshua, Lennox Lewis. Even Muhammad Ali.
“All the good champions have had to come back and that's what we will do.”
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In a humorous interview not long after the defeat, Warrington revealed his first career loss in 31 bouts ended not only his immediate hopes of winning another world title, but also put the brakes on his dad investing in a motorhome.
“I've had to downscale it, so I've got myself a nice little Nissan Elgrand,” said O'Hagan.
“I'm just waiting on the registration for it. It's come from Japan.
“I've kept it within reason just in case it happens again. This one is affordable!”
But if Warrington gets revenge, will there be a phone call in to order an upgrade?
“No, but I think I will put some all-terrain tyres on my camper van.
“And I will celebrate with a walloping great kebab and half a bottle of rum.”
- Anthony Joshua
- Boxing
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