JOSH WARRINGTON knows he must avoid another slow start against Leigh Wood after even getting beaten at a school sports day.
Leeds’ 32-year-old former IBF featherweight champ failed to reclaim his old belt from Luis Alberto Lopez in December despite a strong finish.
And Warrington was late out of the traps again earlier this summer while representing twin daughters Eliza and Olivia at their sports day.
The Elland Road diehard challenges Nottingham Forest fan Wood in Sheffield on October 7 for his WBA crown — and only a burst out of the bell will be good enough.
Wazza said: “I went into the Lopez fight after jaw surgery and I was just too worried about it getting whacked.
“I finished well on top but it is one that will haunt me for ever.
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“But the girls’ sports day wasn’t much better.
“My wife had won the mums’ race and the girls did well in their events.
“I think most people thought my run would be a formality.
“I wasn’t really bothered about it but as I looked along the start line I spotted a lot of dads in top-of-the-range kit.
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“My eye slipped off the ball again and I was rubbish out of the blocks.
“It was a bit embarrassing but I am getting a bit used to that lately.”
The only thing missing from Warrington’s CV — that includes career- defining wins over Lee Selby and Carl Frampton — is a bout in the USA where he can emulate his hero Ricky Hatton by taking thousands of fans on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
He added: “Some of the people who come to my fights were in Huddersfield and Bolton for four-round fights, at the end of the night when the cleaners were coming in.
“I meet people who tell me they were in Vegas for Ricky’s biggest nights and that they were the best times of their lives.
“And I have to reward these people for the time and money they have invested in me. I owe it to them and I will.”
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