Josh Warrington To Fight Xu Can In A Featherweight Showdown
Throughout 2019, IBF World Featherweight champion Josh Warrington (30-0, 7 KOs) has insisted he wants to step up and engage in a unification bout. It looks like he will finally have his chance to achieve that goal.
While hosting a chat on Instagram Live on March 23, Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn gave an update on the happenings inside the company and interviewed a few of his fighters, including Warrington.
During the chat, Hearn disclosed that terms have been agreed to for a featherweight unification bout between the 29-year-old IBF 126-pound titleholder and WBA “Regular” World Featherweight champion Can Xu (18-2, 3 KOs). The bout will take place in Warrington’s hometown of Leeds, England.
“We have agreed terms with Can Xu to have that big fight for [Josh] in the summer. WBA “Super” World Featherweight title likely to be on the line, IBF world Featherweight title on the line, and probably the Ring Magazine Featherweight belt as well.” ~Eddie Hearn, Head of Matchroom Boxing
Hearn also said that an official announcement will take place very soon.
In reaction, Warren would express extreme excitement about the opportunity.
“It’s a barnstormer. You know as soon as that first bell goes, he’s going out to the center of the ring, he’s sitting on his punches and he’s throwing hell for leather. I like to do that as well. We want entertaining fights, we want memorable fights.” ~Josh Warrington, IBF World Featherweight champion
FOR ALL TO LOOK FORWARD TO
This unification showdown will take place at the Headingley Stadium. Accordingly, Warrington is already imagining with glee at the prospect of fighting in front of a charged atmosphere that goes with a passionate stadium crowd rooting for him.
The seeds to this bout ironically began with Xu. Following his win over Manny Robles in November 2019, the 26-year-old from Beijing, China said emphatically he wants his next fight to be against the man known as “The Leeds” Warrior.
On paper, this has Fight Of The Year Potential written all over it. Both men fight with high energy throwing punches in bunches, and both are hittable. Those are the ingredients for what could be a very exciting contest.
With the sport being stopped in its tracks to the obvious concerns over the COVID-19 global pandemic, boxing is rightfully taking all necessary precautions available.
Despite the obvious concerns, it feels good that the business of the sport carries on, and it’s good for any fight fans’ spirit that a match of this magnitude will ultimately happen.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
