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Nonito Donaire hints at Frampton fight deal


The location, timeframe, and opponent for Carl Frampton’s next fight have been heavily hinted by the fighter who looks likely to man the opposition corner.

Four-weight world champion Nonito Donaire [38(24)-4(1)] recently revealed that talks had opened between the two teams, and has today indicated that an agreement may be imminent.

‘The Filipino Flash’ sent the following message on Twitter, suggesting a fight with Frampton in Belfast, assumedly at the SSE Odyssey Arena, next March is all but a done deal.

Frampton acknowledged the hint and responded with some typical Belfast humour

35 year old Donaire is a former pound-for-pound rated star and last held the WBO super bantamweight title, losing it to Jessie Magdaleno last year. Following this defeat he would move up and, in his return bout this September, outpointed Ruben Garcia Hernandez for the WBC silver title at featherweight.

Frampton [24(14)-1(0)] made his return to the ring last month under a new team, defeating Horacio Garcia on points over ten rounds at the Odyssey.

The win marked a good end to a nightmare 2017 for the Belfast 30 year old who lost his WBA title in a rematch with Leo Santa Cruz before having his initial homecoming versus Andres Gutierrez cancelled – as well as an acrimonious split with his former team.

Donaire is ranked 4th with the WBC, while Frampton is ranked 2nd – as well as 3rd with both the WBA and IBF, and 7th with the WBO.

The American-based South East Asian would offer an opponent with name value for Frampton – whose path back to world titles looks to be against the winner of Lee Selby’s April IBF title defence against Josh Warrington in the Summer.

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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