Sheffield’s Kid Galahad has re-aimed his crosshairs on Josh Warrington after suffering his first career loss against his fellow-Yorkshireman, but first he’s got to go through ‘The Matrix’ to get there.
Starring on the undercard of Kell Brook & Mark DeLuca’s Super-Welterweight title fight, Claudio Marrero becomes the challenger to Galahad at the FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield in a night that also containing the likes of Doncaster heavyweight Dave Allen in just a week’s time.
Speaking to Matchroom Boxing about his upcoming eliminator final, the 29-year-old said: “I’m fully focused on February 8 and Claudio Marrero. I’m fully focused on him and getting this kid out of the way because it’s going to be a very dangerous night for me.
"Marrero comes from a very good amateur pedigree. He’s a former Dominican Republic Olympian, he’s signed with Al Haymon as a pro. He’s had 23 fights, 17 knockouts, he’s only lost to high-calibre opponents. He can punch, he can box.
“He can do everything this kid and he’s very dangerous. February 8th is going to be a very tough night for me. I’ve been training very hard, I’m looking forward to it. Whatever he brings to the table on February 8th I’m going to rise to the occasion and step up my game. If I don’t win this fight then there is no World Title fight for me."
Back in June 2019, Kid’s rival, Josh Warrington, controversially won retained the IBF world featherweight title with a split-decision points win, which Galahad is aiming to correct as it remains the only blemish on his so-far, almost flawless record.
“The day after the fight I went straight back into the gym,” said Galahad. “I went back to the drawing board. I believe that I didn’t lose that fight. I didn’t feel like I lost that fight when I was in the ring. The judges saw it a different way, it is what it is. Next time I’ve got to make sure I don’t leave it in the judges’ hands.
"I believe that the IBF is the best governing body though, they don’t mess about. They looked at the decision, they watched the fight and they gave me a Final Eliminator again.
“I 100% believe that if that fight was anywhere else, and we had neutral judges, Kid Galahad would have been crowned a World Champion.
"I believe that if it was any other governing body, they wouldn’t have done that. I’ve got unfinished business. That’s the title I want. If Josh Warrington has the title after I come through February 8th, then great.
"Josh is a hell of a fighter, he’s strong and he can fight. I don’t believe that he had a bad night, I just believe that he got beat that night. I believe he knows he got beat that night.”
The Kid Galahad v Claudio Marrero fight takes place at the FlyDSA Arena takes place on February 8 on Sky Sports, with it being the prelude to the Kell Brook v Mark DeLuca title fight.
