Recent Hughes Foe, Belfast’s Harvey backs Frampton

By Jonny Stapleton

Michael Harvey believes Carl Frampton will prove too strong for Kris Hughes and will defeat the Scot to retain his Super Bantamweight Commonwealth title in the York Hall on January 28.

Fellow Belfast puncher Harvey has first glove experience of the fighter, who took Jamie Arthur the distance in a previous Commonwealth attempt, having lost on points to him in Cleland Scotland last week.

And the novice with one win from seven attempts is confident one of Irish boxing’s brightest prospects, Frampton will retain the prestigious strap he won in the Odysseys Arena in September.

Indeed, Harvey hinted at a Frampton stoppage victory claiming Hughes can be hurt and ‘Jackal’s’ superior power could prove key to the outcome.

However, Harvey, who put in a career best display last weekend despite loosing, warned against taking the Scottish Champion to lightly stressing he posses a left hook of note and can be awkward at times.

“I feel Carl will be to strong for him. He told my manager I hurt him with some shots and Carl would be a bit stronger than me,” Harvey told Mirror Sport.  “He is awkward though. He throws nice left hooks to body and head. He is sharp and throws tidy combos too.  I am not a disrespectful fighter so I don’t want to point out to the press what I think his main weaknesses are. Carl has a very good team around him and I am sure they are working on a game plan and I think Carl will retain his title.”