Warren Wins Bid For Flanagan-Cardle British Title Tilt

By Terence Dooley

 

Frank Warren has won the right to stage Terry Flanagan’s British lightweight title defence against Lytham St Annes' Scott Cardle after winning the purse bids for the clash of the undefeated fighters.  Although the date and venue are yet to be confirmed, the prospect of a shootout between the two has already captured the imagination of many within the trade.

 

Flanagan, 25-0 (9), fights on BoxNation and has a promotional deal in place with Warren; Cardle is promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom and has appeared regularly on Sky.  The news of Warren’s successful bid means that the challenger will have to cede both home and network advantage to the 25-year-old champion.

 

Still, Cardle, 25, has motored to 16-0 (4) since turning over in March 2012, picking up the English lightweight title in the process.  The Joe Gallagher-trained contender will go into the fight on the crest of a wave after registering a TKO 1 win over Kirk Goddings in September to seal his mandatory status. 

 

Flanagan was supposed to fight Stephen Ormond in Sheffield on Saturday night, but the Irishman had to withdraw due to illness.  The Ormond bout will be rescheduled for a later date, with Cardle now first in line for a crack at the Mancunian’s Lonsdale title.  The southpaw, nicknamed "Turbo", will still fight on the Hobson-promoted bill at the Hillsborough Leisure Centre, but his opponent has yet to be announced.