AND THE OSCAR GOES TO..
FRANK WARREN claims the winner of the Battle of Britain between Carl Frampton and Josh Warrington could land a unification shot at WBO featherweight champ Oscar Valdez.
Warrington makes the first defence of his IBF featherweight title against Frampton at Manchester Arena on December 22 and Warren says Valdez’s promoter Bob
Arum wants the victor to fight his unbeaten Mexican.
Valdez broke his jaw beating Scott Quigg last time out in March and returns next month against Andoni Gago. Warren, who promotes both Frampton and Warrington, said: “Bob Arum wants to make the Valdez fight.
“Valdez is fighting in January. He’s coming back after breaking his jaw and he’s very keen to do something with us to fight the winner. I would want it in the UK, but these guys don’t care where they fight.
“Carl and Josh are both winners, they are both coming off good results and they’re both world class. I believe the winner of this fight will go on to unify the title.”
Frampton is bidding for his fourth world title while Warrington is coming off his excellent win over Lee Selby.
Warren (below) says it could be the featherweight version of Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder and feels it could lead to a rematch in the winner’s home city.
“In their weight division they are the same as Fury and Wilder,” he said. “They want to fight. They want to see who’s the best. If it’s as great a fight as we think it will be, or even half, then it’s a natural rematch.
“As regards the venue for the rematch, it would depend on who comes out as the winner.
“It would be Elland Road v Windsor Park and we sold out both last time.” ■■