A mouthwatering championship unification between Britain's Josh Warrington (30-0, 7 KOs) and China's Xu Can (18-2, 3 KOs) has yet to take place because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it looks set to happen before the year is out.
Terms for a title vs. title bout between IBF champion Warrington and WBA titleholder Xu were agreed right around the time the world ground to a halt courtesy of the lockdown.
It meant neither boxer has fought in 2020 so far, but Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn — who signed Warrington to a deal shortly before the pandemic — revealed to DAZN that the highly ancitipated showdown should happen before the new year.
"Josh Warrington is another guy the pandemic has affected," explained Hearn. "We signed him three or four weeks before the world changed forever, and because this guy is one of the biggest ticket-sellers in boxing, we want to bring the fans back [for him].
"The fight is against Xu Can, the WBA featherweight champion. The Ring Magazine belt can be on the line for that, too.
"That is one of the best fights you can make in boxing. Two fighters who throw hundreds of punches per round. It’ll be non-stop, like Duracell bunnies.
"So that’s what we’re trying to get over the line this year, and you can expect to see Warrington vs. Xu Can next."
Warrington, who dethroned Lee Selby at his beloved Leeds United's home stadium, Elland Road, in 2018 and has defended it against Carl Frampton, last fought Sofiane Takoucht in a swift two-round beating on Oct. 12, 2019.
Xu, meanwhile, was last in action on Nov. 23 in California with a unanimous decision victory over Manny Robles III.
"For all of these top names, it’s just a case of getting them out just once this year," added Hearn.
"Letting them get out there, letting them progress their career, letting them get paid, keeping their profile bubbling.
"And that’s the tough job for us now, coming through Fight Camp: trying to schedule all these major names and world champions without crowds.
"It’s going to be a tough task over the next couple of months."