Warrington sympathizes with Frampton but puts major caveat on potential rematch deal

Josh Warrington claims he is ‘gutted’ for Carl Frampton, but won’t go as far as offering the Belfast fighter a rematch that would prove the silver lining in a dark week for his former foe.

The IBF featherweight champion sympathized having heard of the freak accident that ruled ‘The Jackal’ out of his comeback fight scheduled for this weekend in Philadelphia.

The pair were respectful in the build up to their entertaining bout and seem to have got along post the dust up.

It also appears the reigning IBF champion has professional reasons to see the Top Rank fighter do well, as he is unification keen and seems aware if Frampton was to win a world title it might be his best chance of securing a unification opportunity.

Former two-weight world champ Frampton would be happy to do it again once the English fighter got through his October 12th defense versus Sofiane Takoucht. The 32-year-old has stated after the disaster that was this week he wants straight back into world title action and is willing to take any opportunity at either feather or super feather.

However, Warrington has one big rematch caveat, he only wants a repeat if Frampton comes into the clash as a world champion, meaning a return is at the very least one fight Frampton win away.

Speaking at the press conference to launch his next defense, which will be against Frenchman Takoucht, Warrington told the Daily Star: “I am gutted for him because I would like to see Carl go on and become a world champion again.”

“A rematch with him in a unification fight would be fantastic. It must be so frustrating for him, hopefully he can recover and get a world title fight straight after this.”

“I wouldn’t take a rematch now because I’ve beat him but if he gets a world title then 100 percent. I think we would have another barnstormer,” he adds before reiterating his unification desire.”

“I hoped for a unification, but that isn’t mine, my management or Frank Warren’s fault.”

“None of the champions seem to want it. All I am doing is concentrating on keeping my title, but ultimately my dream is to unify.”

“I just want to win a unified title against one champion and I will then fight anyone until the cows come home.”