One of the biggest all-British boxing matches appears to have a date and venue.
According to the BBC, an agreement is in place to pit IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington in a fight against Carl Frampton. The report indicates the fight will take place on December 22 at the Manchester Arena, but the date and venue is not fully set in stone.
Frampton is currently the WBO’s interim featherweight titleholder since full champion Oscar Valdez is recovering from a broken jaw suffered several months ago. Frampton, a former WBA champion, defeated Nonito Donaire back in April to win the title and was then hoping to get a shot at Warrington.
Although Frampton did not get an immediate shot at Warrington in his next fight, Frampton did return to Northern Ireland in August, defeating Luke Jackson in the main event of a card that also featured Tyson Fury. After the fight against Jackson, promoter Frank Warren said a fight against Warrington is being explored with the hope that it takes place by the end of 2018. Frampton is on a three-fight win streak since losing to Leo Santa Cruz in January 2017.
Warrington became the IBF champion with a split decision win over Lee Selby back in May at Elland Road in Leeds, England, ending Selby’s three-year reign as the IBF’s world champion at 122 pounds. Warrington was at ringside for Frampton's win over Jackson. Both Warrington and Frampton are ranked in the top four on Fightful's boxing rankings at featherweight.
