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IBF featherweight champ Josh Warrington received an exemption from the sanctioning body to face Carl Frampton in his first title defense last month, and after defeating “The Jackal,” it’s back to business. He must now begin negotiations with mandatory challenger Kid Galahad; as always, if they can’t come to terms within 30 days, the fight will go to a purse bid.
Galahad (26-0, 15 KO) earned his status with a unanimous decision over Toka Kahn Clary this past October on the Tevin Farmer-James Tennyson undercard, then kept busy with a shutout of Brayan Mairena two months later in Sheffield. He’s now won eight straight since missing all of 2015 due to a failed drug test for stanozolol.
Warrington (28-0, 6 KO) had a breakout 2018 that saw him defeat Lee Selby and the aforementioned Frampton. “The Leeds Warrior” just turned 28 and, at least as far as accomplishments, has proven himself worthy of consideration alongside Leo Santa Cruz and Gary Russell Jr. as a top featherweight.