IBF orders Jazza Dickens versus Kid Galahad for the vacant featherweight title
In a beneficial turn of events, James “Jazza” Dickens (30-0, 11 KO’s) will get a second crack at a world title. This is because the IBF has ordered him to face Kid Galahad (27-1, 16 KO’s) for the vacant IBF World Featherweight title. The title became available when Josh “The Leeds Warrior” Warrington (30-0, 7 KO’s) relinquished the belt in January. MTK Global has since won the subsequent purse bid for the upcoming brawl.
When Warrington dropped the belt it came as something of a surprise move. The Tartan Tornado sought to face ‘regular’ WBA World Featherweight champion Can Xu. However, the sanctioning body ordered him to fight mandatory challenger Kid Galahad instead. Warrington had previously defeated him by split decision in June of 2019. So rather than squabble with Galahad again, Warrington gave up the title. Now instead of getting a shot at redemption, it will be Dickens who can correct a past wrong.
REDEMPTION OR REPEAT?
It has been eight years since they fought, yet it was Galahad who put the first blemish on Dickens’ record. Back on September 13, 2013, the two put on a very spirited scrap. Sadly for Dickens, Galahad was able to polish him off with a crushing straight left in the tenth round. To his credit, Dickens made it to his feet but was too unsteady for referee Mark Green to allow it to continue. Jazza rebounded from the defeat with a six-fight win streak that lasted roughly two years. Unfortunately, he suffered two back-to-back losses to Guillermo Rigondeaux and then Thomas Patrick Ward in 2016 and 2017.
At the moment, Jazza is enjoying an eight fight win streak. His recent consistency has earned him a #1 WBO and #3 IBF featherweight ranking. Galahad is the #5 WBO, #1 IBF and #7 WBC ranked featherweight in the world. As one might expect, getting a shot at a world title and revenge in one outing has Dickens thrilled. So it will be interesting to see what takes places when they face off again. 3kingsboxing.com will continue to following this prizefight as more fight particulars come to light.
[Dickens tweet]
By: Bakari Simpson
