Leeds champion Josh Warrington will step up his bid for world featherweight title unification bouts after reuniting with promoter Eddie Hearn.
Hearn is close to sealing a deal for Warrington to have his next fight at his home city's Headingley Stadium this summer, probably against China's WBA champion Xu Can .
Here the PA news agency weighs up Warrington's route towards the top of his sport.
Xu Can
![Eddie Hearn](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/e68f91c4a6407f67fd5b3f297e25569cY29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTgxNjk1MjI0/2.50309811.jpg?w=640)
Xu has made two defences of the WBA crown and is regarded as an all-action opponent, albeit one possessing negligible power. Appears to be the favoured option for Warrington's imminent Headingley date.
Kid Galahad
![Josh Warrington](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/e3410b5d043779ef5f33012809b072b1Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTgxNjk1MjU3/2.43550229.jpg?w=640)
Warrington's unification plans will have to be put on hold at some stage in order to entertain his mandatory defence against Kid Galahad, whom he has already – controversially – beaten in June last year.
Gary Russell Jr
![Josh Warrington](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/5ce4586b79b980ee1bb34870638db828Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTgxNjk1NDUw/2.50309104.jpg?w=640)
The long-time WBC king would be a big draw with a mouth to match. He has already upset Warrington over unpleasant taunts he made to a mutual rival last year. A showdown with Russell would guarantee to generate headlines.
Shakur Stevenson
Perfect, Now the fight she be easier to make 🙄 Let's get it done Eddie? https://t.co/ypjIK3ajWh
— Shakur Stevenson (@ShakurStevenson) February 12, 2020
Arguably the biggest name in the division, US Olympian Stevenson had been lined up as a future Warrington opponent under his previous promoter Frank Warren. Stevenson's promoter Bob Arum has already indicated he would be ready to complete the deal.
Leo Santa Cruz
![Josh Warrington](http://image.assets.pressassociation.io/v2/image/production/591cf6d088dbf56e896c933dfec4c9b2Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaCwxNTgxNjk1Nzcy/2.50309200.jpg?w=640)
A bout with Santa Cruz, the current featherweight 'super' champion – although he moved up a division for his last fight – would be regarded as the pinnacle of Warrington's career, and could likely constitute his Stateside bow.