Boxing star Josh Warrington has agreed to become an official Ambassador of the Leeds United Foundation.

The Leeds-born featherweight becomes the Ambassador of a Foundation who help over 50,000 children, young people, adults, disabled, at-risk, the unemployed and elderly every year with their community-based projects across the city.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the charity being awarded the new ‘Premier League4Boxing’ programme, one of few clubs selected outside the football top flight. The charity will help youngsters over 14 take up and learn the art of the ‘sweet science’ across the city.

Josh Warrington, current WBC InterContinental & Commonwealth Featherweight Champion, said: “I am hugely proud of my Leeds roots and absolutely thrilled to be invited to become the Sports Ambassador for the Leeds United Foundation.

"The support they provide for people most in need across the city is phenomenal. We’re a big city with lots of great stories and a great heritage but there are also still lots of people who need support and encouragement just to get through the day.

“In my role I will be helping the Foundation get people more active, more often in Leeds and hopefully enjoying their sport and activity. We will make a difference and we will march on together”

The Leeds Warrior will make an appearance to launch his role at Burmantofts Boxing Gym, today (Monday 10th August) at 12pm. The venue, which is Warrington’s former gym and close to his childhood home in East Leeds, will see the Champion chat to youngsters from the area and pass on his advice and knowledge to young boxing hopefuls.

Mick Ferguson, CEO of the Foundation said: “Josh is a real inspiration across the city and epitomises what can be achieved when you work hard and believe in yourself.

"He is rightly known as the Leeds Warrior and has a fanatical Leeds United fan base behind him who are also inspirational in their own right.

"With Josh as our Ambassador and the launch of our Premier League4Boxing programme we will help people of all ages across Leeds take up more sport and physical activities leading to them being healthier, more active and more able to take on the sometimes difficult challenges of modern day life.”

Warrington, 24, continues his march to a world title challenge facing highly rated Joel Brunker in his next fight at Leeds Arena, on Saturday, September 5th.