Carl Frampton warns Tyrone McKenna following Lewis Benson war

Carl Frampton has warned his friend and fellow Belfast fighter Tyrone McKenna to change his approach to fighting for both the longevity and benefit of his career.

Lenadoon southpaw McKenna [17(6)-1(0)-1] edged a war with Scot Lewis Benson in Glasgow on Friday night, taking a one-point win following a gruelling ten-rounder live on BoxNation.

Frampton [26(15)-1(0)] felt that a draw was a fair result in the controversial bout between ‘The Mighty Celt’ and ‘Kid Caramel’ but believes that McKenna could have made things a lot easier for himself and won by a clearer margin.

‘The Jackal’ points to McKenna’s physical gifts, and believes that the 6″1′ southpaw can use this to his advantage and become a real force in the division.

However, if he doesn’t, and continues to be drawn into wars by smaller opponents, Frampton fears that the 28-year-old could see his fighting career unnecessarily shortened.

Writing in his weekly column for the Sunday Life, the straight-talking Frampton described how “Tyrone McKenna was a little fortunate to get the win against Lewis Benson on Friday night and I feel he is a much better fighter than what he showed in Glasgow.”

“Tyrone got hit too easily because the tactics were wrong and after 10 hard rounds I scored it a draw.”

Outlining his belief that different tactics from McKenna and coach Danny Vaughan could bear signigicant rewards, Frampton backed his managerial stablemate and former amateur foe to go onto bigger things in the new year.

The 31-year-old two-weight world champion, who is preparing to challenge IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington in Manchester on December 22nd, noted how “Tyrone is a tall southpaw and I believe he should go away and think about changing his approach and using his natural attributes to make life easier for himself.”

“For the sake of longevity in his career he can’t keep having hard nights like that.”

“I hope he learns and goes on for a bigger test in 2019.”