Josh Warrington could miss out on a chance to become a two-weight world boxing champion despite landing a shot at IBF super-featherweight title holder Anto Cacace.
The Leeds Warrior – who has twice reigned as IBF featherweight champion – is stepping up a division to take on the Irishman next weekend at Wembley Stadium. But the IBF have so far refused to ratify Warrington as a challenger because he has not fought in the 9st 4lb division in over a decade and has never been ranked.
The card – which is headlined by Daniel Dubois defending the IBF heavyweight title against Anthony Joshua – is being backed by Saudi-funded Riyadh Season. Those involved are still petitioning the IBF to sanction the bout as a first defence for Cacace, who beat Joe Cordina to claim the title in May.
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They remain confident that the bout – which is also for the lesser regarded IBO belt – will get IBF approval by the weekend.
Warrington has not won a fight since 2022 when he beat Kiko Martinez to reclaim the IBF featherweight title. But the Leeds man lost it in his first defence when he was narrowly outpointed by Luis Alberto Lopez later in the same year.
Warrington returned last year to challenge Leigh Wood for the WBA title at 9st but was stopped in the seventh round when he was up on the cards. Josh Kelly is still hopeful of remaining on the card at Wembley despite opponent Liam Smith being set to pull out of the bout due to a virus.
The organisers are working through a list of potential replacements to step into the middleweight contest at short notice. Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez defended his WBA, WBC and WBO super-middleweight crowns with a one-sided points victory against Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas at the weekend.
Do you think Josh Warrington can beat Anto Cacace? Let us know in the comments section below.
(Image: Getty)
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Alvarez, 34, handed Berlanga, 27, a first career defeat with cards of 118-109, 118-109 and 117-110 at a packed T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Mexican star was criticised for facing Berlanga, with many wanting to see him fight David Benavidez. “I did good. Now what are they going to say? They said I don’t fight young fighters,” said Álvarez, who was making his eighth super middleweight title defence.
“They always talk, but I’m the best fighter in the world.”
Alvarez could now be offered a date with Terence Crawford, the former undisputed welterweight champion. Saudi power broker Turki Alalshikh has made it clear he wants Canelo to face the American but the Mexican has so far yet to confirm his interest.
(Image: Getty)
Alalshikh was in Las Vegas at the weekend but he was backing a UFC event at the Las Vegas Sphere, with Crawford sat next to him.
Crawford then posted a video on social media alongside Alalshikh. “Yo Turki, tell them we are going to go for Canelo next,” said Crawford.
Before Alalshikh replied: “Let’s go! Canelo, come on. We are ready.” Crawford then stepped in again to say: “You heard it from him. Just put me in the game b****. Canelo-Crawford, the biggest fight in boxing. But we stay ready though. We stay ready, that way we ain’t got to get ready.”