Josh Warrington left 'unsure and upset' as Can Xu unification clash delayed until later in 2021

Warrington fights Mauricio Lara after 15 months out of the ring but still wants Can Xu clash

Undefeated IBF champion Josh Warrington has been left 'close to tears' after being denied a unification clash with Can Xu with hi sopponent withdrawing due to the ongoing situation surrounding the pandemic.

Warrington had reportedly been close to an agreement with Xu's representatives for a unification clash to take place at the start of the new year with The Ring Magazine belt also on the line.

However, talks have since broken down and now Warrington faces an interim defence against Mauricio Lara until he is finally granted his shot at Xu later in the year.

He told Sky Sports: " I was close to shedding tears, and I'm not an emotional man like that, but it takes a toll on you mentally.

"A lot of people don't know that this fight has been on the cards for a long, long time. We had more or less been preparing for this fight since when I signed back up with Matchroom. That was the one we wanted.

The announcement was about to go out, around Christmas Eve time, then it was going to be Boxing Day, then it was going to be before New Year.

"I've got the artwork for the poster, all the game-plan has been about Can Xu, all the sparring partners have been tailored to his traits. Of a night time, I'm visualising Can Xu. My team are studying Can Xu, we've got loads of data on him.

"All of a sudden, it's not happening."

Warrington is also uncertain to the reason that Xu has rejected the bout, but has revealed his full focus must now remain on Lara after a long period out of the ring.

"As a fighter, why would you not want to take that top spot?

"The IBF belt was still on the line, 'The Ring Magazine' belt was still on the line. The guy was getting a career-best pay day, so I just can't understand the reason for it not happening.

"If he wants a crowd to jump on board, we never know when crowds are going to come up here."

Warrington vs Lara was announced as part of a 5-card announcement by Matchroom Boxing as their schedule was revealed up until April in the UK featuring Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin for the second time.

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