Caveman Carl ready for Reid

24 November 2010 – Cormac Campbell

Carl Frampton has been going back to basics ahead of his Celtic super-bantamweight title clash with Gavin Reid at the Ulster Hall on December 3. As part of his preparations, Tigers Bay native Frampton has been enjoying the unconventional Caveman diet.

Barry McGuigans son Shane has me on a caveman diet – steak and eggs for breakfast, then nuts and berries for snacks – lots of fruit – anything that a caveman would have eaten, he said.

I am eating peanut butter as well but I dont think a caveman would have had that.

Because of the new regime, Frampton says his weight and fitness have never been better.

After training today I was 8st 12lb – just two pounds out with a week to go. I did 14 rounds of non-stop punching yesterday – bags, pads and sparring so I am well able to go the ten rounds at a high intensity.

Despite being the betting favourite for next Fridays Championship clash, unbeaten Frampton is quick to highlight the threat Reid poses.

Im focused on this fight and this fight only. It is my first professional title fight so it means a lot. I see this fight as a stepping-stone to bigger and better things, but Reid can destroy my dreams if I dont get it right.

According to promoter Barry McGuigan, Framptons preparations will wind down over the weekend.

Carl has had an excellent training camp for this fight, he said. He sparred 28 hard rounds in Scotland with John Simpson. We have also worked in Dublin, Drogheda and in Holy Family in Belfast. We are in London at the minute for the last few days of preparation working with bigger and smaller guys for speed and strength.

For his part Reid has been working with undefeated British bantamweight champion Stuart Hall in his preparations.

Training has been going brilliantly and we are now coming to a perfect peak, he said.

I always walk around at nine stone so doing the weight is never a problem.

Pounds and ounces may not be a problem for Reid, but the Yorkshire based Scotsman acknowledges that upsetting the Frampton bandwagon will prove to be more difficult.

He has very good amateur pedigree and he is coming up well – he is probably at the same level of experience as Scott Quigg – even though Quigg has had a lot more fights. That said, Reid is excited about the Setanta Sports televised bout.

I boxed in Belfast as an amateur and I know they love their boxing so it should be a good atmosphere. I should have some friends and family coming to support me but obviously most of the people will be there to support Carl but I like making new fans.

The December 3 show also features Stephen Haughian, Jamie Conlan, Ryan Greene, Troy James and Chris Keane. Tickets priced 30-55 are now available on ticketmaster and from the Ulster Hall Box Office.