Frampton: I’m best in Ireland

7 September 2010 – Cormac Campbell

Carl Frampton believes he is the best super-bantamweight in Ireland and would jump at the chance to prove it.

The unbeaten 23-year-old Belfast prospect tops a bill for the first time on September 18 when he takes on three-time European title challenger Yuriy Voronin at the Ulster Hall. And Frampton believes he will put on a performance that will convince the critics that he is the best super-bantam in Ireland ahead of Irish and EU champion Paulie Hyland and Prizefighter winner Willie Casey.

With the vacant European super-bantamweight title fight between Spains Kiko Martinez and Armenias Arsen Martirosyan taking place in Dublin on September 11, there has been considerable speculation that either Limerick native Casey or Dubliner Hyland will receive an immediate shot at the new champion. And whilst Frampton acknowledges that he must first earn a higher ranking to secure a European title fight, he believes he is already good enough to win the title.

Of course, Id like to be in that mix – I believe that right now, he said.

If you put me in the ring with them, I could beat any other super-bantamweight in Ireland. The boys are higher up the rankings and they are entitled to be there because they have had more fights and more wins than me, but if I got offered to fight them right now I would be confident of beating them.

That said, The Jackel would not foresee match-ups with Hyland and Casey as being easy nights at the office.

Hyland has a different style to Casey and Martinez but I believe I could handle that. I have more power than Paulie but he is a very good boxer and he is dangerous. Willie is a bit more raw he has improved a lot under (coach) Phil Sutcliffe but I believe I have the tools to outbox and outpunch him. He is a big puncher, but I hit harder.

This is a view shared by Barry McGuigan, who promotes September 18s Setanta Sports televised card.

Im not worried about Willie Casey and Im not worried about Paulie Hyland, McGuigan said.

I think Carl is capable of beating Kiko Martinez in a year or less. When he is boxing eight rounds then doing ten or twelve rounds is nothing. The difference is only in your head. I know he is capable of it and in less than a year he will be breathing down these guys necks.

McGuigan also confirmed opponents for all boxers on the card.

Out of the six fights, five of them are top class pick-em fights. They are all good, tough fights and the fans will go home happy, thats for sure.

Confirmed bill for September 18, Ulster Hall show.

Carl Frampton vs Yuriy Voronin

Jamie Conlan vs Hyusein Hyuseinov

Stephen Haughian vs Dee Mitchell

Troy James vs Pavels Senkovs

Ryan Greene vs Matt Scriven

Chris Keane vs Tayar Mehmed

A limited number of ticket are still available, priced 55, 45, 35 and 30 from the Box Office on 028 90334455. For more information log on to www.ulsterhall.co.uk.