Josh Warrington set for Shakur Stevenson unification battle at Elland Road

Planet Sport writerStaff Writer6 January 2020
Josh Warrington wants to unify the featherweight division against American Shakur Stevenson

Josh Warrington wants to unify the featherweight division against American Shakur Stevenson

Josh Warrington is set to be involved in a blockbuster this forthcoming summer at his beloved venue Elland Road.

The 'Leeds Warrior' and Shakur Stevenson are expected to collide in a mouth-watering featherweight unification with May 16 the date in mind.

Since dethroning Lee Selby for the IBF strap, Warrington has defeated two-weight king Carl Frampton, Yorkshire rival Kid Galahad and Frenchman Sofiane Takoucht. Having repeatedly expressed his desire of securing a mega-fight in 2020, Leo Santa Cruz and Oscar Valdes dealt the Leeds ace a blow by both moving up in weight.
But at last… there's good news for Warrington's army of fans; Stevenson, who outpointed Joet Gonzalez to pick up the vacant WBO title, is ready to brawl with the British star in his backyard. To make things even better, Frank Warren and Bob Arum promote the respective fighters on either side of the pond so a deal should be struck without too many problems. BT Sport will be the UK broadcaster while ESPN will be the network for America.

Stevenson plans to make a mandatory defense of his belt against Miguel Marriaga on March 14 before setting his attentions to Warrington. Arum, who will speak to Stevenson's co-manager James Prince before confirming his 2020 schedule, gave an update and said: "Prince and I will talk about everything. We'll discuss if Shakur wants to go to England and fight Warrington or fight in the U.S. on March 14."
It looks like his mind has already been made up though, with the Olympian trading verbal punches with Warrington.
"First off @frankwarren_tv you not gone give me chump change for a unification fight where I'm WILLINGLY ready to go to England. Pay me the right way and that'll be the easiest fight to make ever cause I want that fight bad."

"Come get your easy money then boy.... I'm ready and wanting. Stop talking and back your shit ... Oh and a happy new year,"

After victories over mandatory challenger Galahad and ill-equipped Takoucht, Warrington revealed his hopes of realizing his dreams in America. By the looks of it, he'll get a taste of what America has to offer on home soil before 20,000 northerners potentially invade Sin City later on this year.

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