Josh Warrington a FREE agent, no longer with Queensbury Promotions

By Boxing News - 02/11/2020 - Comments

By Charles Brun: Moments ago, Queensbury Promotions released a statement saying that IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington (30-0, 7 KOs) was no longer with the company after his contract with them expired.

With Warrington, 29, no longer with Frank Warren, there’s going to be a free for all between different promotional companies trying to sign him.

Before his contract ended, Warrington had been hoping to set-up a fight with WBO featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs), but the negotiations have reportedly stalled.

Stevenson, 22, is with Top Rank Boxing promotions from the U.S, and that would seem like the ideal situation for Warrington if he wants to make that fight happen.

If Warrington signs with Top Rank in the U.S, then they’ll have these fights for him:

  • Shakur Stevenson
  • Michael Conlan
  • Carl Frampton
  • Jessie Magdaleno
  • Oscar Valdez
  • Miguel Berchelt
  • Jamel Herring

Top Rank would likely want to build up a fight between Warrington and Stevenson before they make that one. They’ll follow in the same path that they did with British heavyweight Tyson Fury by putting Warrington in with a few soft touches in the U.S before matching him tough.

Does Warrington possess the talent to remain a champion for long?

A big question you must ask is Warrington going to be a world champion for too much longer? In some respects, it could be risky to sign for a promoter if it costs them a lot of money.

The odds of Warrington beating the quality featherweights like Gary Russell Jr., Shakur Stevenson and Tugstsogt Nyambayar are arguably low. So whoever Warrington winds up with, they’ll need to understand that he may not stay a champion for long unless he’s carefully maneuvered.

Warrington to return to Eddie Hearn and Matchroom?

Before signing with Queensbury, Warrington was with Matchroom Sport from the UK. That might be an option for him as well. Although it’s unclear whether that will help his situation in getting the Stevenson fight.

Warrington captured the IBF 126-lb title two years ago in beating Lee Selby by a 12 round split decision on May 19, 2018. Since winning the belt, Warrington has successfully defended it three times in beating Carl Frampton, Kid Galahad and Sofiane Takoucht. Those are good fighters, but none of them are in the same league as Stevenson, Russell Jr. or Leo Santa Cruz.

The win for Warrington over Galahad (27-1, 16 KOs) was a narrow 12 round split decision. Galahad recently put himself back in position to face Warrington as the mandatory challenger in beating Claudio Marrero by an 8th round stoppage last Saturday night.

Given how close Warrington’s win over Galahad was, he may not beat him in a rematch. Moreover, Warrington will have his hands full in facing unbeaten Shakur in a unification

“I am happy to say that we delivered for Josh on every level and helped him realise his goals in the sport,” said Warrington’s former promoter Warren. “We all wish Josh every success for the future and will always remember the great nights we enjoyed in Leeds.”