Josh Warrington is hoping he can return to the ring before the end of June.
The IBF featherweight world champion is set to take on his mandatory challenger Kid Galahad next.
Warrington, who was last in action in December, has been out since outpointing former two-weight king Carl Frampton to retain his crown at Manchester Arena after suffering a hand injury.
Promoter Frank Warren has asked the IBF to grant Warrington extra time to make his mandatory defence having shelved the original fight date of May 4.
And if the IBF grant a delay, Warrington’s manager Steve Wood told Boxing Social recently that it would likely take place over the summer after the aforementioned Warren won purse bids to stage the Leeds man’s showdown against Sheffield’s Galahad.
“Josh’s fitness and prep for the fight were all on track,” he said at one of his most recent events. “But his hand is still a bit sore so we’ve asked for the fight to be delayed and we’re waiting to hear back.
“I don’t expect it to go anywhere past June because it’s not a massive issue. The fight is going to happen.”
Warrington, who dethroned Wales’ Lee Selby to claim the title back in May 2018 at Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium, damaged his right hand in the 10th round of his victory over Frampton which saw him go on to call for Stateside showdowns with the likes of WBO champion Oscar Valdez and WBA Super ruler Leo Santa Cruz before the IBF ordered him to face Galahad.
Article by: Elliot Foster