Josh Warrington believes unification fight with Can Xu will be 'something special'

Warrington's next opponent Can Xu. PIC:PIC: STR/AFP via Getty Images.

IBF WORLD Champion Josh Warrington finally looks set to get his long-awaited featherweight unification bout after he agreed terms to face WBA world title holder Can Xu this summer.

No set date has been given for the bout, owing to the uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic that has currently put a number of countries across the globe on lockdown.

However, promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed that a deal has been struck for a unification fight between Warrington and Xu which will be held at Emerald Headingley Stadium this summer, if conditions allow.

Warrington has held the IBF belt since dethroning Welshman Lee Selby in May 2018, producing one of the finest performances of his career.

Josh Warrington knocked out Sofiance Takoucht in his last title defence. PIC: Steve Riding.

He followed that by defending his title for the first time against former two-weight world champion Carl Frampton in December of the same year.

The Leeds-born fighter, who boasts an undefeated record of 30 wins and zero losses, won with a unanimous points decision in a bout that was named British fight of the year.

Hopes of a unification fight were frustrated throughout 2019 as the Leeds Warrior twice defended his belt, beating Kid Galahad and Sofiane Takoucht at the First Direct Leeds Arena in June and October respectively.

But the IBF champion is keen for his fight with Xu to go ahead with Headingley bosses understood to be flexible when it comes to fixing a date.

Gary Russell Junior. PIC: Al Bello/Getty Images.

“We want to be part of entertaining fights and be part of memorable fights. That is all I want to be part of,” said Warrington.

“It will be something special.”

He added: “From winning the world title and defending it against some of the world’s best. I’m desperate to win another belt.”

WBO champion Shakour Stevenson and WBC belt holder Gary Russell Junior were both men on Warrington’s radar as he sought to unify the featherweight division.