Josh Warrington and Can Xu agree terms for featherweight unification bout in Leeds

JOSH Warrington could get the chance to unify the featherweight division after agreeing terms with Can Xu for a unification bout in Leeds this summer.
Can Xu. PIC: STR/AFP via Getty Images.Can Xu. PIC: STR/AFP via Getty Images.
Can Xu. PIC: STR/AFP via Getty Images.

The fight has not been given a set date due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic but promoter Eddie Hearn is hopeful of staging the bout at Emerald Headingley in a few months time.

Warrington, the current IBF champion, will put his own title on the line as he aims to claim Xu's WBA belt, a title the Chinese-born fighter won in January 2019.

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"We have agreed terms with Can Xu to have that big fight in the summer, hopefully," confirmed Hearn.

Josh Warrington. PIC: Steve Riding.Josh Warrington. PIC: Steve Riding.
Josh Warrington. PIC: Steve Riding.

"The WBA title is likely to be on the line, with the IBF title and hopefully the Ring Magazine belt."

Warrington has been keen for a unification bout since successfully defending his IBF title against two-weight world champion Carl Frampton in December 2018.

However, he was frustrated in his attempts to secure a fight as he beat Kid Galahad and Frenchman Sofiance Takoucht in two successful defences last year and moved to a professional record of 30-0.

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American fighters Shakour Stevenson and Gary Russell Junior hold the WBO and WBC belts in the featherweight division but Warrington feels a fight with Xu will be the most entertaining.

"It will be a barnstormer. When you look at the other champions in the division, Gary Russell and Shakour Stevenson, you know the build up is going to be entertaining," said Warrington.

"But is the fight going to be entertaining because, Shakour Stevenson likes to move on the back foot and Gary Russell is known for his speed but doesn't work too much. He chooses when he wants to do his work.

"But with Can Xu, you know as soon as that first bell goes, he is running to the centre of the ring and going hell for leather and obviously I like to do that as well. "

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Warrington's win over Frampton was named British fight of the year and the Leeds-born boxer wants to be part of more memorable fights as he aims to become the first unified champion from the city.

"We want to be part of entertaining fights and be part of memorable fights. That is all I want to be part of," he added.

"It will be something special."

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