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For the second time in less than a month, Kid Galahad has been the subject of a title fight whose promotional rights were obtained through a purse bid hearing.
The hope this time around is for the fight to actually materialize.
Lee Eaton—representing MTK Global—will serve as the promoter of record for the ordered vacant IBF featherweight title fight between Galahad (real name Barry Awad) and James ‘Jazza’ Dickens. Obtained the rights to the fight following a $202,500 offer posted during a purse bid hearing held virtually in lieu of an in-person meeting due to COVID restrictions.
MTK Global was the only promoter to submit a bid.
Sheffield’s Galahad (27-1, 16KOs) was previously due to challenge countryman Josh Warrington (30-0, 7KOs) in an ordered rematch, with the fight actually going to a purse bid hearing which was won by TGB Promotions. Warrington—who remains keen on a showdown with secondary WBA featherweight titlist Xu Can (18-2, 3KOs)—opted to vacate the title rather than go through with a second fight with Galahad, whom he barely edged in their June 2019 title fight.
The belt became available in mid-January, with Galahad immediately ordered to enter negotiations with the next highest-rated contender which is Liverpool’s Dickens (30-3, 11KOs). Talks barely had a chance to get off the ground with the matter immediately going to a purse bid hearing, which can be called for at any time by any party in an sanctioning body-ordered title fight or eliminator.
Galahad enters his second career title fight, assuming this one sees the light of day. Following his lone career loss to Warrington, the 30-year old Brit made his way back into the mandatory contender slot following an 8th round knockout of former interim titlist Claudio Marrero last February at home in Sheffield. The bout remains his sole ring appearance since Galahad’s previous title shot, with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic slowing his career progress as he’s set his sights on putting a title around his waist.
Dickens also enters his second career title fight, along with the opportunity to avenge a prior defeat. The 29-year old southpaw from Liverpool suffered a broken jaw which forced a 2nd round stoppage at the hands of then-unbeaten lineal 122-pound champion Guillermo Rigondeaux in their July 2016 clash. A subsequent technical decision loss to undefeated Thomas Patrick Ward in May 2017 prompted a move up to featherweight where Dickens currently enjoys an eight-fight win streak.
The lone other career defeat for Dickens—his first, in fact—came at the hands of Galahad via 10th round stoppage in their Sept. 2013 battle of unbeaten prospects in Rotherham, England.
Per purse bid terms, MTK Global will have two weeks to provide final signed contracts for the title fight.
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox