Peter’s offers Frampton Kiko bout without options

JUNE 14-Jonny Stapleton

Irish promoter Brian Peters has offered Carl Frampton the chance to challenge Kiko Martinez for the European super bantamweight title in Belfast in September.

The exciting Belfast prospect and the Spaniard, who had Bernard Dunne gone in 86 seconds, have been linked before.

But despite stressing his charge would defeat Martinez, Frampton’s mentor Barry McGuigan turned down the opportunity to challenge for the EBU strap because of what he labelled ‘medieval options’ wanted by Peters.

However, speaking at an open training session for the Hyland brothers yesterday the Meath based promoter offered the Jackal the chance to take the continental belt once owned by Willie Casey and Bernard Dunne from ‘Mini Tyson’ in a deal without add ons.

Peters stressed he is willing to put Martinez in against Irish boxing’s rising star in a winner takes all clash.

The man, who over saw the rise of Bernard Dunne and subsequently the re-emergence of Irish boxing, however, hinted he doesn’t think one of the worlds hottest super bantamweight prospects will accept.

“There was an offer made to Carl Frampton to fight Kiko Martinez with no options. There is a fight there for Carl against Kiko in Belfast in September again with no options at all if they want it. That would be a great fight. If Barry and Carl win we shake their hands and say best of luck in the future,” Peter’s explained.

“Robbie Turley had a hell of a go last week and it was a learning fight for Carl. There is a lot of pressure on Carl. Could it be a little to early for Kiko? It is great to have Barry back involved in the game and he is a great guy. I am not sure if he would put Carl in with Mr Martinez at the present time though.”

Frampton has previously expressed his desire to challenge the Spaniard and is certainly confident he could defeat the three time European champ. However, the 24 year old has impressed Sky and is now on course to fight the winner of Jason Booth and Scott Quigg’s British title fight.

Meanwhile Matthew Macklin and Andy Murray’s manager also intimated that Willie Casey veered off the continental path too soon.

Peters claims he would have allowed Big Bang to make one or two European defences, and as a result some cash, before defending against ‘La Sensacion’ Martinez and believes the Southhill slugger made a mistake challenging Guillermo Rigondeaux for the WBA interim title.

The experienced promoter said Casey’s next move is vital and did intimate Big Bang, like Dunne, appealed to the non boxing public and had the ability to transcend from the back to the front pages.

“Would you have put Willie Casey in against Rigondeaux? I am not sure? It could have been sorted were Kiko allowed Willie Casey to have a defence. Maybe even two defences, but definitely one. It would have gave Willie the chance to make a few quid and we could have put Kiko on the under card, which would have been great too. It is unfortunate what happened and Willie has to be very careful what he chooses to do next. What ever risk he takes has to meet the reward,” Peters explained.

“Willie is a fantastic character. RTE loved him. He was so close to transcending the sports pages. Outside of Bernard Dunne and Kenny Egan no one has done better catching the public attention. He is a hell of a fella and we had a good input in his career with Prizefigher and the European title fight.”

After discussing Ireland’s top three super bantamweights in Frampton, Casey and Paulie Hyland Peters also revealed he  considered an Irish Prizefighter at that weight.

The Dunshaughlin native claimed an Irish versus English version of the contest could be in the pipeline.

“I wouldn’t rule out a super bantamweight Prizefighter. Alexi O’Costa, Willie Casey maybe Paulie would all be interested. We planed to have an Irish versus British style Prizefighter with four Irish versus four British fighters. It could happen yet. I can make it if I want to, but Sky would have to come over. You also want to ensure a star is born out of it and that there is a massive buzz about it and it’s a great success.”