Xu primed for shot at history

WBA titleholder bidding to become China's first unified world champion when action resumes

As well as lightning-fast reflexes and a vicious left hook, Xu Can is also blessed with patience.

The WBA featherweight titleholder says his focus on becoming China's first unified world boxing champion has not wavered during the sport's shutdown, and when ring action eventually resumes, he'll be ready to seize his chance.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak shut down all major sporting events worldwide, Xu, aka 'The Monster', was close to finalizing an eagerly anticipated featherweight unification fight against IBF champion Josh Warrington.

The mouth-watering matchup of two of boxing's most prolific punchers had been provisionally penciled in for May 30, with Headingley Stadium in Warrington's home British city of Leeds touted as the venue.

But despite some observers advising Xu to play it safe with another defense of his WBA crown, the Chinese brawler remains as determined as ever to face favorite Warrington, aka 'The Leeds Warrior', on the Brit's own patch.

"There has not been a unified featherweight champion for a long time, Warrington is strong with a tough style, so I know it will be a tough bout," the 26-year-old Xu told Xinhua recently.

"Yeah, if I want to keep the title for a little longer, I can just fight in China, but it will be meaningless. The unified championship is an opportunity for me, and I want to take it when I am still young."

Like most professional athletes, the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted Xu's training schedule, with he and his entourage embarking on a three-month "tour" to find suitable venues for sessions.

"At first, we flew to Thailand after all the boxing halls in Beijing were closed down, but we finally returned to China when the virus emerged abroad," he said.