Headline News

Carl Frampton to get World Title chance NEXT MONTH?

Top Rank boss Bob Arum is said to be exploring the possibility of making a featherweight world title fight between Oscar Valdez and Carl Frampton for next month.

Last Saturday the Mexican slugger made a successful return to the ring after an 11 month lay off and having recovered from a broken jaw which was sustained during his win over Scott Quigg.

The WBO champion scored four knockdowns en-route to a seventh-round a stoppage win over Italian Olympian Carmine Tommasone at Ford Center at the Star, the training facility of the Dallas Cowboys.

The victory saw Valdez end a long lay-off, put injury doubts behind him, and retain one of the four titles in a busy 126lbs division.

Speaking after the win, the 28-year-old claimed he wanted to unify titles and put IBF Josh Warrington on the top of his wish list, claiming the Leeds fighter’s victory over Frampton pushed ‘The Jackal’ down the pecking order.

However, reports in American suggest Arum, who promotes Michael Conlan, remains open to a Mexico v Belfast match-up.

Lance Pugmire of the LA Times claims the experienced fight maker wants Valdez to return as early as Saturday March 23rd and is eyeing up Frampton or Josh Warrington as the opponent.

Considering Warrington brings a title to the table, it would appear he is in pole position to challenge for the WBO strap that belongs to Valdez. However, the Leeds man, who beat Frampton last December, is mandated to defend his title against Kid Galahad and yesterday Frank Warren would win purse bids for this fight.

And so, it would seem likely that former two-weight world champ Frampton receive an offer.

The Belfast favourite has stated that a fight with the likes of Valdez or rematches with either WBA world champ Leo Santa Cruz or Josh Warrington.

However, a fight next month would look unlikely for a number of reasons.

Frampton has repeatedly stated that he would be making his return in the summer after his May court case with Cyclone Promotions and promoter Warren has proposed a June return date.

Then there is the lead-in, with March 23rd being less than seven weeks away and Frampton preferring extended camps of up to 12 weeks.

That said, an offer of a World title fight could be too good to turn down.

dpg

logo may

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

x