Josh Warrington vs Shakur Stevenson negotiations are looking good!
For hard-core boxing fans, 2019 was a one fantastic year. We were treated to a bevy of great match-ups, action fights and a boat load of meaningful upsets. Now while standing on the eve of 2020, the New Year seems to hold equal promise.
One potential top tier bout in the making is WBO world featherweight champion “Fearless” Shakur Stevenson (13-0, 7 KO’s) and IBF champion Josh “The Leeds Warrior” Warrington (30-0, 7 KO’s).
SIZING UP THE COMPETITION
To his credit, the talented young Stevenson has had his eyes on Warrington for quite some time. Going a step beyond casing his competition, Fearless straight-up called the Leeds Warrior out publicly on a number of occasions. Clearly the fight was important to him and one that he thought he could win. The same could not initially be said about Warrington.
When first presented with the idea of a showdown with Stevenson, the IBF champ questioned why he would go that route. This is because when Fearless began calling for the fight, he was not a title holder. Having proven himself a number of times in the ring and holding a title, the Leeds Warrior viewed the fight as a step backwards.
So he told the tough New Jersey fighter to go pick up a strap. This is what he did. In a very personal and professional grudge-match with Joet Gonzalez (23-1, 14 KO’s), Fearless captured the vacant WBO title via unanimous decision. Once armed with the strap, he immediately resumed his call out of Warrington.
Now, it appears that the bout is gaining some realistic traction.
NEGOTIATIONS UNDERWAY
In a recent interview with ThaBoxingVoice Frank Warren, of Queensberry Promotions, spoke of the progress that the fight is making behind the scenes. Obviously, Warren could only get but so specific, but given what he did say it looks as if the fight has a great chance of materializing in the first quarter of 2020.
“I met with Bob Arum in London and we had lunch a couple days ago and he is going to speak to Shakur’s people and we want to get it on! We told him where we were at, we want to do the fight, Josh wants the unification match.
“Actually, he specifically wants to fight Shakur and from what I’ve seen on-line, Shakur wants the fight with Josh. So hopefully we can agree to terms and get it announced.
“We’ve made an offer and they are going to consider it. Listen we’re also open to coming to the states! I ain’t got a problem with it. Josh Warrington doesn’t have a problem fighting anywhere!”
This is all fantastic news for boxing fans! 3kingsboxing will continue to follow and report on this mouth-watering unification in the making.
By: Bakari Simpson
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