Eddie Hearn, the promoter of the new IBF featherweight champion (126-lb), the British Kid Galahad, said that he was not going to “pickle” his fighter in passing title defenses.
Last Saturday night, Galahad 28-1, 17 KOs) won the vacant IBF featherweight title with his splendid eleventh round stoppage victory over James ‘Jazza’ Dickens (30-4, 11 KOs) at the Matchroom HQ in Brentwood, Essex.
“He’s dedicated his whole life to the sport; he’s ready. You can’t say he’s not ready for any of those guys, and tonight, there’s always been a lot of talk over the years about his [Kid Galahad] style,” said Hearn about Galahad.
“Now, we’re going to see how many levels he can go from here, and he’s going to be a real threat to the division. It’s Sheffield vs. Nottingham, which is fantastic,” Hearn said of a potential fight looming ahead for the newly crowned IBF 126-lb champion Galahad against WBA ‘regular’ belt-holder Leigh Wood.
“I’d love to see Leigh [Wood] elevated to [WBA] Super Champion, and if they can do that unification [between Galahad and Wood], it would be massive,” Hearn said of wanting to see the World Boxing Association strip current WBA Super Champion Leo Santa Cruz and move Wood into his spot at 126.
“Maybe, but it all comes down to Leo Santa Cruz. If he wants to fight at 126, they’re not going to strip him, but if he doesn’t, they will,” said Hearn of Santa Cruz. “Then Leigh will be elevated. Santa Cruz is a good fight for him,” said Hearn.