Wales has a rich history of world champion boxers, but none of the 14 men and women who have claimed top honours in the sport hail from north Wales.
Barmouth-born Johnny Williams held the British and Empire heavyweight titles, but he received his boxing education after moving to English town Rugby at age three.
Warburton now has the chance to become north Wales’ most celebrated boxer, as he prepares to become the first from the region to face a world champion.
“I feel as though I don’t get the recognition for doing that,” he added.
“I’m holding the flag for north Wales. If I could get my hands on a world title, or box for one, it would be a dream come true, and I’d be writing history.”
Warburton, who goes by the moniker ‘The Breadmaker’, will not be joined by family for the trip to Saudi Arabia, but knows they will be watching back home.
While son Roman was present for both fights against Heaney and celebrated in the ring, Warburton prefers to “zone in” when fighting further afield.
“Unfortunately, I’ve banned all of my family members from going over because I treat boxing like work,” Warburton explained.
“My family come when I fight closer to home, but when I’m away, I like to be on my own with my team. They wouldn’t come to work with me.
“I have to be zoned in, and I know that everyone will be watching from home. One of my friends is coming because he likes to be adventurous.”
Warburton expects the Riyadh crowd to be behind Adames and believes that will play into his hands, as it has done throughout his career.
“I’m used to not having the crowd [behind me] and having them boo me. The two Heaney fights showed that,” he said.
“I could go into the lion’s den, and it still wouldn’t bother me.”
Beyond the boxing accolades, Warburton knows how much an upset victory over Adames would change his family’s life.
“Win this and everything changes for my family, and I would probably become the mandatory challenger,” he said.
“I’ve got someone in front of me who is at the highest level. To even be in the ring with him means I’ve completed boxing in a way, regardless of what happens.
“I’m a lad from north Wales who only had an ambition of winning a Welsh title. To step in with a world champion is what dreams are made of.”
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