IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington expects a full blown war when he collides in the ring with WBA "regular" champion Xu Can.

Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there is no set date for the fight.

The two sides have reached an agreement on the terms, with the contest taking place at Emerald Headingley Stadium this summer - if events in the UK are allowed to move forward by then.

Warrington has raised his status in the sport since winning the IBF belt from Lee Selby in May 2018. Since then he's defeated the likes of Carl Frampton and Kid Galahad among others.

His next fight was on the verge of being announced, when the pandemic broke out. The British Boxing Board of Control have canceled all UK events until the end of April.

Warrington feels the contest against Can will be more exciting than battles against WBO champion Shakur Stevenson or WBC champ Gary Russell Jr.

“It will be a barnstormer,” said Warrington to the Yorkshire Post.

“When you look at the other champions in the division, Gary Russell and Shakour Stevenson, you know the build up is going to be entertaining. But is the fight going to be entertaining because, Shakur Stevenson likes to move on the backfoot and Gary Russell is known for his speed but doesn’t work too much. He chooses when he wants to do his work.

“But with Can Xu, you know as soon as that first bell goes, he is running to the centre of the ring and going hell for leather and obviously I like to do that as well.”