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Carl Frampton and Frank Warren differ on post-Warrington plans


A win might not be enough for Carl Frampton [26(15)-1(0)] if he wants to have massive Stateside scraps in 2019.

‘The Jackal’ challenges IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington [27(6)-0] this Saturday night in Manchester and he wants to pick up the world title belt, his fourth, and move straight into unifications.

However, his promoter, Frank Warren, does not seem to be keen on this path whatsoever.

The English fight boss, who also promotes Warrington, has reiterated his desire for Saturday’s BT Sport Box Office and ESPN+ clash to be a close one to facilitate another money-spinning domestic pay-per-view between the pair, potentially at a football stadium.

While doing some fight week promotional work with BT Sport, Warren was asked about the potential for unification fights for the winner.

The Queensberry boss shut down the question, noting that “it depends on how the loser loses, because he’s going to be back in the ring.”

“It may be, which I really believe it’s going to be, a great fight that deserves an immediate rematch.”

“Who knows?” he asked, which suggests that a fight which is in any way competitive will result in calls for a repeat.

Frampton, though, is not keen on being bogged down in a series of fights with Warrington.

When asked by BT Sport whether he would consider a rematch, Frampton replied “not really, after this fight I don’t want to fight anyone other than Santa Cruz, Valdez or Russell Jr.”

Speculation is mounting that Frampton could be set for a return to Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions endeavour, the home of Santa Cruz and Russell, now that the outfit have a big deal with British terrestrial broadcaster ITV, with a recent PBC interview fuelling this talk.

This, however, remains idle social media and boxing forum chat at present, and Frampton is more concerned about setting these fights up.

Considering Warren’s words, the 31-year-old may need to stop or thoroughly dominate Warrington – or else exert control over his career in the face of a rematch-hungry promoter.

Frampton outlined how “I want to win this fight against Warrington, then unify the division and then maybe have a crack at the big boys.”

“I have spoken about potentially moving up to super-featherweight – I want to be remembered as a great fighter and winning fights in three divisions.

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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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