By Jonny Stapleton

CARL Frampton believes he is at most four fights shy of challenging for a World title and is 95% certain that Kiko Martinez will be next on his journey from contender to challenger.

The Belfast fighter secured an IBF top 15 ranking with victory over previously undefeated Mexican Raul Hirales in Nottingham late last month.

The ranking puts Barry McGuigan’s protégé in world title contention and Frampton feels he is just a few more solid wins and impressive displays away from earning the right to challenge for a World crown.

First on the Jackal’s revised hit list is Kiko Martinez. The Belfast fighter wants to take out the Spaniard , who had Bernard Dunne gone in 86 seconds, in September to become Continental ring king.

“We have big fights and big names on the radar. Names like Kiko Martinez, who we hope to get next, which will again improve my world ranking. We are only two, three or four fights away from a legitimate world title fight. With a bit of luck we can get there,” Frampton told UTV sport.

The Commonwealth and IBF intercontinental super bantamweight champion has seen fights with ‘Mini Tyrson’ Martinez fall through in the past, but he is confident  he will get the chance to enact Irish revenge on Bernard Dunne’s destroyer on a massive September show.

“We are back out in September and there is a very good bill lined up. You have Jamie Conlan, Martin Lindsay, Eammon O’Kane, Myself and Paul McCloskey. It will be a massive night for Belfast boxing. I am sure there will be a great crowd and I am sure Kiko Martinez, if we get that fight made and I am 95% sure it will be, will never have
experienced anything like it.”