McGuigan excited by future plans

19 September 2010 by Steve Wellings

Fresh from seeing his protg complete a comprehensive victory over Yuriy Voronin, promoter Barry McGuigan is busy plotting a route to a title fight for Carl Frampton.

I want to get Carl back in the ring quickly; were looking at a title fight soon, confirmed Barry at the post-fight press conference.

Were already looking at various opportunities. It takes a long time to get these things [shows] going so Im looking at the end of November/beginning of December for the next show. Carl is now a bill-topper so we need to carefully asses the next move.

The 37-year-old Ukrainian visitor was brought over to provide a stern test for the North Belfast native but Frampton was in no mood for compromise and made sure his vociferous following went home buoyed by an emphatic headlining victory.

We had to be wary of Voronin because he likes to catch punches and throw straight back, continued McGuigan. Carls speed and timing was brilliant tonight and were starting to see the fighter I watch in the gym. This kid [Voronin] went seven rounds with Scott Quigg who is supposedly the best prospect in England and went eight rounds with Olympian Joe Murray.

The 23-year-old Frampton, now 7-0 as a professional, enjoyed his first experience as the star attraction and is well prepared to deal with the inevitable hype that will now come his way.

Im level headed and I just have to get used to the hype that will no surround me, he modestly admitted.

That was the performance of my life and we know that Voronin is a tough operator so it took me a while to suss him out because he was a bit cagey. Once I got the range at the end I was nearly hitting him at will but I had to be careful because when I pushed him on the ropes he was throwing wild swings at me.

The fans reception was amazing and Im sure it put the frighteners on to Voronin from the start. The crowd were fantastic and it gives you such a buzz and a big lift. I didnt want to let myself or the crowd down, he said.

Before the fight Carl was being linked to Irish and Celtic title opportunities but he will also be keeping a close eye on the upcoming Kiko Martinez-Willie Casey European title contest in Limerick on November 6. A fight with southpaw Casey or Dubliner Paul Hyland could soon become a reality.

I dont want to blow my own trumpet but I believe I would beat Casey or [Paul] Hyland, he stated confidently.

If a fight came up with either of those boys I would snap it up with both hands. Both lads are good fighters, Caseys come on a lot under Sutcliffe and hes improved a lot. Hyland is a nice slick boxer who doesnt punch too hard.

I dont want to forecast the result of Martinez-Casey but Id be all in favour of Casey winning and I hope he comes out on top, I give him my support, added Frampton.

Barry McGuigan was pleased with his debut promotion, which went out live on Setanta Ireland from 8pm.

The atmosphere built itself into a crescendo tonight and were going to set the scene alive here, it really excites me, he concluded.