Boxing results: Josh Warrington wins European title while Ricky Burns and Brian Rose return to winning ways

JOSH WARRINGTON is the new featherweight king of Europe after hammering Davide Diele into fourth round defeat in front of his raucous Leeds faithful.

The 23-year-old – also British and Commonwealth champion – cranked up his high-powered engine from the opening bell, much to the delight of fans in First Direct Arena, and overran his opponent.

โ€œHow can I not get fired up with all these fans?” said Warrington. “They are absolutely amazing. I don’t know any other place in the country which creates an atmosphere like this.

โ€œIt’s hard not to get carried away because they get you very fired up, but I use all the energyB from the crowd and take it into the ring. They keep me going from the first bell to the last.โ€

The 35-year-old Italian had no answer for the array of punishment heading his way and he was dropped for an eight-count in the fourth, before a breathless follow-up smothered the life out of his challenge. After the referee halted the fight, Warrington punched the air in delight and revealed a showdown with Welshman Lee Selby is in his sights.

โ€œI’m still learning with every fight,โ€ said the 19-0 Warrington. โ€œI’ll leave it to the team – I’d fight Nonito Donaire tomorrow but I’ll leave it to the team.

โ€œI’m always learning and getting stronger. [Selby] has set out of the traps a little bit quicker than me and he’s got a world title eliminator, but I’m hot on his heels. If he gets a world title then I’ll be looking to be his first defence but I’ll take each fight as it comes.โ€

Ricky Burns failed to impress on his light-welterweight debut despite ending a three-fight winless streak by outpointing Alexandre Lepelley over eight rounds. The former WBO super-featherweight and lightweight boss signalled afterwards that he has some tough decisions to make, and a return to 135lbs is likely.

Brian Rose had an easier time in his first bout since a one-sided loss to WBO light-middleweight ruler Demetrius Andrade. The Blackpool fighter halted Ignacio Fraga in round one.

There were also wins for Dave Ryan – who upset Tyrone Nurse over 10 – and rising super-middleweight starlet, Callum Smith.

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