You can miss Kid Galahad with the idea of his being passed over for a bout being billed as a featherweight title unification clash.
The featherweight contender from Sheffield, England reclaimed his place as a mandatory challenger to the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title following an 8th round stoppage of Claudio Marrero this past February. The win puts him in position for a potential rematch with countryman Josh Warrington (30-0, 7KOs), against whom he dropped a questionable 12-round decision last June in the defending titlist’s hometown of Leeds, England.
Unfortunately for Galahad, first up for Warrington instead—once boxing resumes—is a showdown with World Boxing Association (WBA) “Regular” featherweight titlist Can Xu (18-2, 3KOs).
“[Warrington is fighting] Can…who?” Galahad (27-1, 16KOs) playfully questioned promoter Eddie Hearn, the managing director of Matchroom Boxing during an Instagram Live interview, taking a playful swipe at the name of the 26-year old titlist from Beijing, China. “Who is he fighting, Eddie?
“We don’t even know who he is. He’s not a real champion.”
Xu claimed a secondary version of the featherweight title following a thrilling 12-round win over Jesus M. Rojas last January in Houston, Texas. Two successful title defenses have followed, though neither resulting in an upgrade.
Four-division titlist Leo Santa Cruz continues to lay claim to WBA “Super” champion at 126 pounds, where he hasn’t fought since a 12-round win over Rafael Rivera last February. Rivera was a late replacement opponent for Miguel Flores, whom Santa Cruz (317-1-1, 19KOs) outpointed last November to win the vacant WBA “Super” 130-pound title.
A decision was to have been made over which belt he plans to keep, as Santa Cruz is currently targeting a 130-pound title defense versus former two-time junior lightweight titlist and current lightweight secondary titleholder Gervonta Davis (23-0, 22KOs). The desired backup plan should that fall through would be a showdown with long-reigning featherweight titlist Gary Russell Jr., which for the moment would be eligible for a title unification clash.
Should Santa Cruz land on Davis, he would eventually have to relinquish his “Super” 126-pound title, clearing a path for Xu to enter a unification clash versus Warrington.
All of it is far too dizzying for even the everyday observer, never mind to a title challenger in waiting who isn’t buying any of it nor the accompanying explanation from his promoter.
“He’s not the champ, Eddie,” insists Galahad, who offers sound examples of his ability to view the matter in proper perspective. That’s like saying Canelo (Saul Alvarez) is WBA super champ (at super middleweight). He’s not, (Matchroom Boxing-promoted) Callum Smith is. That’s like saying that heavyweight… (WBA “Regular” titlist) Manuel Charr is the heavyweight champion of the world (Matchroom Boxing-promoted Anthony Joshua holds the WBA “Super” title, along with the IBF, WBO and IBO belts).
“You’re gonna try to get him the title, that’s what you’re going to do. He’s not fighting a unified champion. He’s not a world champion, they’re going to make him a world champion.”