World champion Josh Warrington determined to unify the division

Leeds fighter Warrington has rejoined Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing stable, having become world champion under Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, whom he joined in 2017.

After defeating belt holder Lee Selby at Elland Road to become IBF featherweight world champion, three successful defences of his title followed against Carl Frampton, Kid Galahad and Sofiane Takoucht.

Warrington, though, is itching for more and is yearning to take on either WBC belt holder Shakur Stevenson, WBC champion Gary Russell Jr, WBA (regular) holder Xu Can or even WBA super featherweight supremo Leo Santa Cruz in his next fight.

Warrington, 29, is hoping Hearn can work the oracle with a view to fighting in either May or June and most likely either at Headingley or in the United States.

“I’m with Eddie now and we’ve talked about Headingley and we’ve talked about going to the States,” said Warrington.

“I have beaten everyone over here and it has to be another one of the other champions next.

“I’m desperate for it now – Shakur Stevenson, Gary Russell Jr, Can Xu, any one of them can have it and even Leo Santa Cruz has come back into it.

“All I want to do is win that Ring Magazine belt, unify the division and then no-one can argue with that.

“If I go and beat another one of the champions I will be regarded as the very, very best in the world at 9st.

“After that, if there’s a chance to win another belt and go on and be undisputed champion that would be fantastic. If not, I will consider moving up a weight and winning another belt in another division.”

Explaining the latest on a potential next fight, Warrington said: “I’m just waiting for the phone to go.

“The phone can go from Eddie at any second.

“I think we are looking at around May or June time so that’s what we are aiming towards.

“It could be Headingley, I know they have been working very closely with the Leeds Rhinos lot and they are very keen to host the event as well.

“It’s just about who we can get over here and how much they are going to cost.”