FURY’S BIG DEAL: Page 43
Thursday, has said that he will fight on as long as a world title shot is on the table and Warren is very confident he can secure a deal for the Belfast man to have a chance at becoming a world champion again — and has already hinted at a date in June.
Yesterday, Warren announced a multi-year, multi-fight agreement with United States broadcaster ESPN for former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, which strengthened the promoter’s relationship with Top Rank Promotions boss Bob Arum. The two men have an agreement over Warren’s UK shows being shown in the States on ESPN and as Valdez is promoted by Arum it is understood that a deal for the Mexican to defend his belt against Frampton would not be hard to agree.
But WBA champion Santa Cruz has made it clear — as stated in the Belfast Telegraph yesterday (left) — that he is keen to complete his trilogy with Frampton. That would be the bigger of the two fights, given the history the two men have with each other with the Jackal winning their 2016 bout and Santa Cruz victorious in the rematch six months later in January 2017.
“Carl and I, we spoke and he will be fighting probably end of May, early June, and he will be involved in a very, very big fight,” said Warren.
“The ideal world would be for Carl to go out and win a title and then make a unification fight.”
Warren also hinted at a possible rematch between Frampton and Warrington, who will defend his IBF title against Sheffield’s Kid Galahad in June.
“Providing the two guys keep winning, I’m quite sure we could do that,” he added. IRELAND and Iain Henderson face an anxious wait with the news that the Ulster star will face a disciplinary committee meeting in Edinburgh today.
The lock was the subject of a citing complaint after an alleged incident in the province’s win over Ospreys on Friday night.
His tackle, which occurred in the 15th minute of the game, brought only a penalty from South African referee Quinton Immelman, who reviewed a video of the incident at the time.
And yet the player has been reported by the Citing Commissioner for an alleged breach of Law 9.11 — ‘Players must not do anything that is dangerous to others’.
Henderson could yet escape without censure or a Citing Commissioner’s warning, but if found guilty would face suspension.
Having made a speedy recovery from injury, any potential ban could hardly be worse timing.
After getting 80 minutes under his belt, Henderson would figure to be in Joe Schmidt’s plans for the Six Nations trip to Italy on Sunday.
Devin Toner is already out, while Tadhg Beirne will be in Carton House with the squad today but has not seen the field since Munster’s Champions Cup win over Exeter last month.