‘I want the other champions’ – Warrington not interested in Conlan fight
A Michael Conlan [12(7)-0] shaped dot is not flashing on IBF world champion Josh Warrington’s radar just yet.
The Leeds fighter seems aware the pair have been linked of late, but claims he has other targets in mind for now.
Warrington [29(6)-0] admits it’s a fight that may happen down the line, but his burning ambition to unify is what shapes his fight wish list at present.
Indeed, the world champion has even knocked back suggestions of a massive Carl Frampton rematch, telling ‘The Jackal’ to win another world title before he looks to trade leather again.
Like most at the weight Warrington didn’t mention WBC title holder Gary Russell Jr, but did name drop WBA champion Leo Santa Cruz and Shakur Stevenson, the man fancied to win the now vacant WBO strap.
“Michael Conlan is making big waves, but I want the other champions then I will fight the likes of him,” said Warrington.
“I’m coming up to ten years as a professional. The support has just grown and grown and inspired young fighters in Leeds. The journey hasn’t finished. I would love the WBA champion Leo Santa Cruz and if Shakur Stevenson wins the WBO title I would line him up and give him 12 rounds of hell, but it’s this fight against Takoucht I’m thinking about.”
Warrington was speaking at the launch of his third defense, which will be against Sofiane Takoucht at First Direct Arena in October.
It’s a fight the Leeds fan is expected to win – and in fairness no one will begrudge him a routine defense post back to back to back world title fights with Lee Selby, Frampton and Kid Galahad.
However, it does prove unification bouts are not always the easiest to make and that fact may open the door for Conlan or Frampton.
Conlan was name dropped by Warrington’s promoter Frank Warren in the lead up the massive Feile event. The Olympian told Irish-boxing.com it was a deliberate seed planting mission by the English promoter and he believes the fight could be an option for his annual trip to New York on St Patrick’s Day.
