Josh Warrington left frustrated as unification bout with Can Xu falls through

The Leeds-born boxer was due to fight the Chinese fighter in a featherweight unification bout last year but the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted those plans.

There were hopes the fight could go ahead next month but an angry Warrington has blamed Xu's camp for the bout falling by the wayside.

"I would normally be a little bit more upbeat about getting back into the ring, even after being absent for 15 months," Warrington told VIP Boxing Promotions.

"I have been sat on the sidelines while other world champions from Great Britain have got some action.

"I have just been ticking over with no end product in sight. We are four weeks away and what should have been a unification fight - number one fighting number three in the Ring Magazine rankings - is no longer happening.

"What it comes down to is a little bit of greed and a little bit of politics. To be honest, it is massively frustrating. I would be lying if I said it hadn't got me down a little bit.

"We have been wanting this fight for over a year. I was under the impression that the other fighter was just as hungry as me.

"But it seems that is not the case. When I hear the excuses that have been coming from Can Xu's party, it just doesn't make sense.

"Whether that be that they want more money or they want to fight in front of a crowd; we are in a pandemic. We have to make do with what is there in front of us.

"He has decided he doesn't want the fight anymore."

Warrington will instead defend his IBF belt against Mexican Mauricio Lara on February 13. The 22-year-old already has 23 fights under his belt, winning 21 - with 14 knockouts - and losing the other two.

Warrington's record stands at 30-0 but he has not fought since October 2019 when he scored a second-round knockout over Frenchman Sofiane Takoucht.

"I have a fight in front of me and in order for me to keep my dream of unification fight alive, I have got to beat this guy," added Warrington.

"I have to switch myself back on. With the change of opponent we are going to change a few tactics and stuff.

"He is a tough fighter. He has got some similarities to Can Xu and I'm expecting a tough fight.

"By fight night when the first bell rings, it will just be a case of doing the business."