Jackal ready to sink his teeth into Kiko Martinez
Jonny Stapleton August 15
Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton dismissed suggestions he has bitten off more than he can chew by challenging Kiko Martinez for the European title in just his eleventh fight.
Frampton admits the Spaniard, who had Bernard Dunne gone in 86 seconds back in 2007, is the best fighter he has faced amateur of pro, is a lethal puncher and poses a significant threat to his unbeaten status.
However, Barry McGuigan’s protégé is confident he has the tools to unbuckle a EBU title that once sat proudly on Dunne and Willie Casey’s mantle piece from the waist of ‘Mini Tyson’.
The Belfast Boy claims he will prove he European super bantamweight main man on the under card of Paul McCloskey’s WBA eliminator with Breidis Prescott on September 10
“I am really excited about this fight. It is a big opportunity. You can’t turn down a fight like this. It is a European title in front of your home fans. I believe I am one of if not the best boxer in Europe at the minute. I am going to prove that on September 10. No point in hanging about. If you believe you are ready why wait?” Frampton said in the Europa Hotel toady.
“I respect this guy. It’s going to be the toughest fight of my career, professional or amateur, but I’ve been training for it. It’s probably the biggest night of boxing Belfast has seen in years, a big opportunity for me. It’s a European title, a big title. Honestly, I’d say right now I’m just shy of world level but I want to get there one day and this title and defending it is going to help me get to the top.”
For the first time in his career Frampton sports the under dog tag going into a fight.
One of Ireland’s hottest boxing prospects performance against Robbie Turley in his last outing has prompted some to suggest he needs more time before stepping in against the time continental champion.
The pressure is on, but Frampton wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Tigers Bay native, who Eddie Hearn plans to make an international super star, insists he rejoices in proving the doubters wrong and claims great expectations ensure he produced great performances.
“There are expectations and they do bring pressure, but I think that’s good. It spurs me on. People have been talking about me a lot. Barry, Gerry and even myself have said Carl Frampton can get to the very top. That pressure makes me put in extra effort in training. I am the underdog for this fight, that brings pressure as well. However, the last time I was an underdog I came out on top. The odds were 5 to1 against me when I fought David Oliver Joyce in the Senior championships final. You all seen what happened that night. I was spurred on that night and won.,” Frampton added before adding he hopes to come home for good.
“I am a Belfast boy and I want to be fighting for big titles and defending them here too. Once this fight is over I want to be European champion. I want to then hang around Belfast and defend the title as many times as possible.”
