British middleweight contender Gerome Warburton is on a heartfelt mission of redemption, driven by the ultimate inspiration: his eight-year-old son's Christmas wish for championship gold.
Father Christmas in the Ring
The 30-year-old Welsh fighter, known as 'The Bread Maker', is preparing for a high-stakes return to the ring on January 24 in Manchester. He will face Nathan Heaney on the undercard of the Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin event. This bout represents a critical step in Warburton's comeback trail following a painful knockout loss to Kieron Conway in May 2025, which shattered his British title ambitions.
After a brief hiatus, Warburton returned to winning ways with a decisive points victory over Jordan Grannum in August. Now, with the festive season in full swing, his focus is split between training and a very personal demand from his biggest fan. "He is at home, just drawing all of these different belts that he wants me to pick up along my way in my career," Warburton exclusively told Mirror Fighting.
"He has got high expectations, drawing me like WBC titles and stuff like that. I think he hopes that Santa Claus is going to come and deliver them… And I think that’s me," the boxer joked, embracing the pressure of playing Father Christmas by bringing home major silverware.
A Real-Life Rocky for His Son
Warburton admits his son is fully immersed in his career, even attending tough fights despite the emotional toll. Recalling his bout with Ryan Kelly, Warburton said he warned his son it would be different, but the youngster insisted on being there. "One of my mates sent me a picture after and he was crying his eyes out," Warburton shared, highlighting the raw reality his son witnesses.
Despite the brutality of the sport, Warburton sees immense value in his son's engagement. "It must be special for him to see his dad being his idol. He’s living a real life Rocky film," he said. While his son is an avid football player, Warburton would support a move into boxing, citing the discipline and life lessons it instils. "Boxing has taught me and made me the man I am today… I think it’s a good thing to be around for children," he explained.
The Redemption Mission Continues
The upcoming fight in Manchester is more than just another bout for Warburton; it's a stepping stone towards fulfilling a promise. His motivation is crystal clear: to live up to his son's sky-high expectations. "Bringing something home to him because that is what you do it for," Warburton stated. "That is where the boxing comes in… to look after your family, but mostly for your kids as well."
He acknowledges the challenge, comparing himself to the iconic movie boxers his son admires. "You have got to live up to their high expectations. They want to see Ivan Drago from Rocky… so I have a lot to live up to." With his son's hand-drawn championship belts as a constant reminder, Gerome Warburton steps into his next battle with the weight of a father's love and a child's dream squarely on his shoulders.
