Josh Warrington has vacated his IBF featherweight championship after the IBF refused to sanction his proposed unification fight in April. Warrington is booked to face Mauricio Lara on February 13th [and it appears that will go ahead as planned]. Earlier this month, a proposed unification fight with WBA title holder Xu Can was delayed with a new working date of April 24th. Matchroom will now look to finalize Warrington-Xu or match Warrington vs. WBC king Gary Russell. Both the Can and Russell fights could be for the Ring Magazine belt. [The IBF ratings would have two Brits, Kid Galahad vs. James "Jazza" Dickens fight for the vacant title].

 

“It’s so important for Josh to be in a mega fight after Lara on February 13th,” said Matchroom's Eddie Hearn. “He has his heart set on the Ring belt and it’s up to us to make the Can or Russell fights for April or early May. I’ve been working hard with Robert Diaz of Golden Boy to close Xu Can and also had several conversations with Luis De Cubas regarding a Gary Russell bout – both fights are Fight of the Year contenders. ”

 

“It’s disappointing we couldn’t have the IBF title on the line, but I can’t let those decisions stand in the way of me going down in British boxing history by facing the very best in the division,” said Warrington. “I’ve always dreamt about winning the Ring belt, for me it leaves no doubt who the king of the division is. Right now, my mind and focus is on Lara for February 13th and then I’m looking to pick up that beautiful [Rig] belt.”