Featherweight contender Kid Galahad 27-1 (16) says he is disappointed Josh ‘The Leeds Warrior’ Warrington 30-0 (7) gave up his IBF title to avoid facing him in a rematch.
The 30-year-old from Sheffield dropped a split decision to Warrington in their IBF 126-pound title fight in June 2019 by scores of 113-116, 115-113 and 112-116.
The fight was close enough for Galahad to maintain his position as mandatory contender for the red belt with a purse bid scheduled for last week.
But Warrington and his promoter Eddie Hearn decided to push ahead with a fight against little-known Mexican Mauricio ‘Bronco’ Lara 21-2 (14) on February 13, relinquishing the IBF belt instead.
“I was in dialogue with Eddie building up to it (the purse bid),” Galahad said to World Boxing News.
“I kept telling Eddie I wanted to fight him. Eddie kept telling me that Josh refuses to fight me.
“When we invoked our rights for purse bids, that’s when the dialogue dried up.
“Eddie knows I wanted to fight him just like Eddie knows who won the first fight. He knows I won the first fight.
“He had to protect the Leeds ‘Worrier’ from facing a real champions mentality because he knew he was about to get Gala-had!”
Galahad is hoping to face James ‘Jazza’ Dickens 30-3 (11) for the vacant IBF title. The 29-year-old southpaw is ranked IBF number three while the number two slot is vacant.
But Dickens could pursue a mandatory title shot against WBO 126-pound champion Emanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete 32-1 (27) instead where he is ranked number one in the division.
“Of course. Let’s hope it can be Jazza Dickens and he doesn’t chase that WBO route,” Galahad said.
“I won’t be surprised in the slightest if he does. Jazza is a game fighter and a good guy- I like him.
“We have sparred many rounds together and obviously had our first fight some years back. His mate Anthony Bellew is talking a good game like he will take him down the IBF route but he does love to talk.
“The management behind him may have the final say, and they have a good working relationship with Top Rank and ESPN.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Jazza take that road instead vs Navarette. Either way, I will stay read and be prepared for whoever the IBF orders and whoever steps up.
“I’m sure there are some real game fighters out there who wouldn’t hide from an IBF world title shot with that real champions mentality,” he concluded.
