Former WBO super bantamweight champion Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe 24-2 (15) would welcome the opportunity to challenge IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington 31-1-1 (8).
The 27-year-old Dogboe, originally from Ghana but hold UK citizenship, has won four fights in a row since moving up to the 126-pound weight class.
Last Saturday he ground out a 10-round split decision victory over former two-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez 25-3 (15) at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota. The scores were 96-94, 96-94 and 94-96.
Gonzalez joins Chris Avalos, Adam Lopez and Christopher Diaz as Dogboe victims since the former champion moved up in weight following his back-to-back beatdown losses to reigning WBO featherweight champion Emanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete 35-1 (29).
“It’s all about getting back on top again. When I lost to Navarrete the second time, with my face all swelled up and everything else, I gave him all the props, he was the better man on the night. But I did say that I was going to be back,” Dogboe said to Sky Sports.
“It’s been rough and it’s been great. There’s been a lot of learning along the way and I’m proud of it. I’m really proud of it. I say it’s been character building years. So I’m really really proud of all the experiences and everything that I’ve gone through.
“I’m really, really grateful to be back mixing it up with top-level fighters again, getting back to this level again. I praise God and I praise my team and Top Rank and everyone that’s involved.”
Warrington, 31, became a two-time featherweight champion when he defeated veteran Kiko Martinez 43-11-2 (30) by seventh round stoppage in March. His lone loss was a ninth-round stoppage at the heavy hands of Mexican Mauricio ‘Bronco’ Lara 24-2-1 (17) in February last year.
“I would love that fight. I love the way he fights. He’s also not a pushover. I believe myself and Josh Warrington would be a great fight, would be an exciting fight for the UK fans. It’s a fight that I would love to have. I would love to test him,” Dogboe said.
Another potential option for Dogboe is a fight against Top Rank stablemate Michael Conlan 16-1 (8).
“I can see it happening. Great weight class, a lot of good matchups, a lot of good places to go,” said Top Rank president Todd DuBoef.
“It may not be the case that the title opportunity is the best opportunity. And it may be that Dogboe and Conlan becomes the biggest fight out there for the two of them and there may not be a title associated. It doesn’t diminish the value of the fight at all.
“Stylistically and from a fanbase point of view it may be a wonderful match to have, so we weigh all of those things as we move forward.”
