Following the news that Josh Warrington has decided to vacate his IBF featherweight world title, the IBF have ordered the rematch of the two highest ranking fighters in the rankings - Kid Galahad and James 'Jazza' Dickens.
It has since been announced that purse bids for this fight will take place on the 4th February, unless either fighter wants to go in a different direction.
The pair met in the ring when they were both unbeaten in 2013, as Galahad got the better of the Liverpool based fighter with a 10th round TKO.
The decision for Warrington to vacate the belt, rather than face his mandatory challenger Galahad has been met with stipulation from fans.
He already faced and beat Galahad in 2019 with a contentious decision in what was a split decision win for Leeds man.
He is adamant that his future plans of chasing the ring magazine belt and the WBA ‘regular’ belt-holder Can Xu take precedent over a rematch with Galahad.
He had plans to fight Xu on February 13th, but the Asian fighter wanted to wait for crowds to return. The IBF refused to sanction a unification fight against either Can Xu, the WBA champion, or Gary Russell Jr, the WBC champion, in April therefore it leaves Warrington facing unknown Mauricio Lara in a non title fight.
GALAHAD CLOSE TO PBC DEAL ✍️@KidGalahad90 tells @jamacd2011 that he is on the verge of joining @premierboxing, with potential bouts against @mrgaryrusselljr and @leosantacruz2 awaiting.
— Boxing Social (@boxing_social) January 22, 2021
➡ https://t.co/pIL5G5RIRC
🔞 @Betfred Fight Odds: https://t.co/CnGSL9uga3#Boxing pic.twitter.com/PUjf70d5T9
Dickens (30-3) is fresh off the back of winning the MTK Golden Contract with a comfortable win over Ryan Walsh in the final. Whilst Galahad (27-1) fought in February 2020, with a stoppage of Claudio Marrero.
Speaking to BoxingScene, the Liverpulian said:
“I’m so blessed with an amazing team, they have maneuvered me into a fantastic position in the world of boxing,” Dickens told BoxingScene.com. “Right now, we’ve got options.
“If this fight goes ahead it’s because I want Galahad,”
Purse bids go ahead on the 4th February and the fight is expected to go ahead as this is a perfect chance for both fighters to become world champions for the first time, in a fight that is a great British world title fight, should it happen.