Josh Warrington has elected to vacate his IBF featherweight title, with today’s purse bids for a rematch with Kid Galahad now cancelled.
Warrington faces unheralded Mexican Mauricio Lara on February 13, which will now officially be a non-title fight.
No.1 ranked challenger Kid Galahad is expected to face IBF No.3 James ‘Jazza’ Dickens for the vacant title following the Scouser’s Golden Contract tournament victory back in December.
Warrington’s focus will now turn to potential championship fights with WBA Regular champion Xu Can or WBC king Gary Russell Jr.
“It’s so important for Josh to be in a mega fight after Lara on February 13,” said Warrington’s promoter Eddie Hearn. “He has his heart set on the Ring belt and it’s up to us to make the Xu 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 DeCubas regarding a Gary Russell bout – both fights are ‘Fight of the Year’ contenders.”
Warrington added: “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.
“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 13 and then I’m looking to pick up that beautiful red and blue belt.”