Frampton on European Seaview Crusade

By Jonny Stapleton
 
CARL  Frampton retained his Commonwealth title at one of the homes of British boxing last Saturday night and instantly set his sights on fights in the Mecca that is Madison Square Garden and the rather less renowned boxing venue Crusaders FC’s home, Seaview.
Frampton produced a dominant yet controlled display before sending Scot Kris Hughes through the ropes with a right hand, that will forever remain on his show reel, in round seven of his first defence.
However, despite showing patience in the squared circle the Belfast super bantamweight seemed anything but after the clash that topped a sold out York Hall bill.
Barry McGuigan’s protégé wants big fights and the big names as soon as possible.
The undefeated star believes he will have to wait to prove he is a better prospect than British Champion Scott Quigg so he plans to showcase his much talked about talents on the under card of Matthew Macklin and Sergio Martinez mega St Patricks Day clash.
And if he makes a successful debut Stateside ‘The Jackal’ wants to return to Belfast to challenge for a title at the home of his beloved Crusaders.

European Football may not be a regular at the Seaview, but the former Irish Amateur champion wants to bring big time European boxing to the Stadium.

“I would fight any of the names mentioned. Rendall Munroe, Scott Quigg, Kiko Martinez any of them,” Frampton revealed after his fight.

“I am looking to box in MSG on the under card of Macklin and Sergio Martinez next. That would be absolutely massive for me. Boxing in venues like that is what you dream off as a child. I plan to get a win out there and then face Kiko Martinez in the summer or Quigg- I want Quigg fight now.”
“Hopefully the Summer show will be in Belfast. Kiko Martinez is managed by Pat Magee so that should be easily made for Belfast. I support Crusaders- it would be great to have it there. We talked about it before. I told Barry I would love to box there and the Chairman of the club said he would do what he could to make it happen.”

Frampton, who wants to be world renowned by 2013, certainly has an exciting few months ahead and he kicked started what should prove to be a pivotal year with a sensational knock out. And even he was impressed.

“It took something spectacular to get rid of him and I delivered. I was taking my time and stepped up the pace when I felt like it. It was a perfect shot I don’t think anyone would have stood up to that.”