Fan Fair – Frampton claims historic Herring fight would be wasted behind closed doors

Not quite a case of ‘if no one saw it, it didn’t happen’, but Carl Frampton [27(15)-2(0)] does believe fighting with Jamel Herring [21(10)-2(1)] in an empty venue would detract massively from the fight.

‘The Jackal’ could become Ireland’s first three weight world champion if he was to beat the American in a proposed WBO super featherweight world title fight – and wants his history attempt to be an historic occasion.

The fan aware fighter admits he ‘wouldn’t be happy’ for the fight to play out behind closed doors and as a result is willing to wait before eventually fighting a fighter he was first scheduled to box on June 13.

Speaking in a wide ranging interview with the Ring Magazine, Frampton explained: “It’d be a shame to do a fight where there’s potentially the chance for me to make history, in a third weight division, and to have nobody there to witness it.

“I wouldn’t be happy but if I have to do it, I have to do it but I’d prefer not to.”

Frampton is hopeful normality will resume before next year and that the fight can take place then.

“I’m hoping things clear up and by some point, whenever that may be, even by early next year and things are back to some sort of normality then it can happen in front of a packed house. It would be a shame for such a huge fight and such a potentially historic occasion to be witnessed by no one, really.”

Although no contract has been signed both fighters seem to remain on a collision course.

There may be a few obstacles to overcome as both look likely to have behind closed doors fights before the square off.

Herring, according to Bob Arum, will fight behind closed doors in June, while there is talk of Frampton sharing a card with Michael Conlan in a Belfast hotel in August.

The 33-year-old former two weight world champion is content with that scenario, but doesn’t want it to remain that way beyond a fight or two.

“As long as I continue to tick over and stay in reasonable shape, I’d be prepared to sit it out and wait it out,” says Frampton. “Time isn’t really on either of our sides, me or Jamel Herring, [because of] our ages. If this goes on too much longer it’s not going to be great for either of us but I would be prepared to sit out.

“I’ve had a great support my whole career and even the new ones who’ve recently jumped on with the bigger fights. I’m appreciative of all the support that I get and I hope whenever, wherever the fight with Herring happens there are as many people there as possible again to make some memories.”