The IBF has ordered a purse bid for the mandatory defense of the featherweight title between champion Josh Warrington and #1 ranked contender Kid Galahad. Warrington was ordered to negotiate with Galahad on January 7, 2019.
On January 12, the IBF received a written certification from Eddie Hearn on behalf of Kid Galahad and Matchroom Boxing indicating that they were no longer willing to participate in negotiations and requested an immediate purse bid pursuant to IBF Rule 10A. The purse bid for this bout will take place on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at 12 Noon.
Warrington had a breakout year in 2018, and was widely viewed as a frontrunner to the Fighter of The Year award, which was eventually won by unified cruiserweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Warrington first unseated Lee Selby to capture the IBF world title in the first half of the year, and then he closed out 2018 in one of the better contests of the year - when he won a dominant twelve round decision over heavy favorite and former world champion Carl Frampton.
Warrington, who was once promoted by Hearn, is now aligned with rival promoter Frank Warren, who has little interest in this mandatory fight - and would rather see his man face WBO world champion Oscar Valdez in a unification.
A purse bid is likely the only way a deal will be reached, as both sides are aligned with rival television networks in the UK. Warrington is showcased on BT Sport, while Galahad fights on Sky Sports.
