‘Sign me up’ – All roads lead to historic Windsor Park fight- World champion wants to come to Belfast
It seems like all roads lead to Windsor Park and potentially historic night for Carl Frampton [27(15)-2(0)] and Irish boxing.
‘The Jackal’ all but secured himself a shot at another world title with impressive victory over Tylrer McCreary in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
The Top Rank fighter had been promised another title tilt if he returned victorious. The former super bantam and featherweight world champion seems to have options in that regard, but the fact that WBO super featherweight world champion Jamel Herring [21(10)-2(1)] was brought to the ring by Bob Arum suggests the American is next.
Even better ‘Semper Fi’ provides the 32-year-old Irish great the chance to become the first ever Irish three weight world champion – and as if things couldn’t get more ideal, Herring is willing to give Frampton that chance in Belfast.
Speaking to BBC’s Thomas Kane after watching Frampton from ring side the former Mairne not only revealed he was willing to defend against Frampton, but claimed he was eager to come to Belfast.
“I will come anywhere over there. I loved the atmosphere when I went to the UK and London for the 2012 Olympic Games and I always promised myself I would go back for a major event, so if that happens to be the event that gets me back in that area, sign me up,” he said before discussing possible time frames.
“Possibly March or April. I’ll give Carl every respect and let him heal his hands and we’ll allow our teams to work out the paperwork.”
The 34-year-old has only recently crept onto Frampton and Irish fight fans radars, but the American is a long time fan of ‘The Jackal’, although it seems his admiration for the Belfast fighter has increased significantly in recent weeks.
Not only was Frampton’s fellow Top Rank fighter impressed with the ‘grit’ shown to win by a wide margin despite fighting eight rounds with a fractured hand, Herring has been taken aback by the former two weight world champions desire to fight.
“I am a fan. That’s one thing people don’t know, I have always been a fan of Carl Frampton and he showed the true grit of a world champion. He is two division world champion for a reason and he proved it tonight,” he said reflecting on dominant Frampton win.
“People are already asking for [the fight]. One of the reasons I like Carl is because he is one of the few who are willing to fight me. A lot of people following my journey [will know] I have been trying to get a lot of unification match ups with other big names and Carl Frampton comes up a weight class and wants to prove himself . He says ‘if the Jamell Herring fight is available let’s make it happen’. If we can make it happen lets do it.”
Regardless of where the fight takes place Herring is confident it will be a good fight for the fans – and a clash between two fighters who are beholding to the values of the sport.
“It’s a treat [for boxing fans]. It’s actually two top guys in their class willing to fight each other. If I am going to be a real world champion I’m going to travel the world. If I’m going to be a real world champion I’ll fight the best out there. I don’t want to be a champion that just holds onto the belt and fights nobodies.”
