A featherweight unification bout between IBF king Josh Warrington and WBA Regular champion Can Xu is close to being signed for early February.
According to Mike Coppinger of The Athletic, the fight will be announced in the coming days with the venue in the UK. Although with the current Covid-19 restrictions showing little sign of relenting, it is highly unlikely Warrington’s vociferous home support will be in attendance.
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Three-time world champion Frankie ‘The Surgeon’ Randall has passed away aged 59. Randall is mostly remembered for taking the unbeaten record of the great Julio Cesar Chavez on a split decision at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, in January 1994.
A cultured technician with deceptive power, Randall (58-18-1, 42 KOs) controversially lost the rematch and his WBC 140lbs title after a cut Chavez appeared to quit following a head clash and the bout went to a debatable technical decision. Under WBC rules, Randall was a deducted a point for an unintentional headbutt that ultimately cost him a draw in a fight he appeared on course to winning.
A staple of Don King promoted mega shows, Randall regrouped to win the WBA 140lbs crown twice in a trilogy with Argentine Juan Martin Coggi before his career at top level came to an end against Frenchman Khalid Rahilou in January 1997. The Alabama-born Randall fought on for another eight years as a name opponent, but that night he shocked an 89-0-1 Chavez will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, champ.
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Former five-time world title challenger Martin Murray has announced his retirement. The popular St. Helen’s man can consider himself highly unfortunate not to have been proclaimed a world champion after dropping controversial verdicts against Felix Sturm (D12) and Sergio Martinez (L12), in particular.
Former British and Commonwealth middleweight champion, Murray (39-6-1, 17 KOs) mixed it with the best in a 13-year career and leaves the sport after losing a WBO 168lbs title shot against Billy Joe Saunders (L12) earlier this month.
“I went around the world and fought the best – and pushed them all the way too, so I’m happy and proud of what I achieved,” said Murray, 38.
Everyone at Boxing Social wishes Martin the very best with his future plans.