Frampton focused on Celtic title test

CARL FRAMPTON is fit and focused as the 23-year-old prepares for his first professional title fight. Frampton contests the Celtic super-bantamweight belt on December 3, in a fight televised live on Premier Sports (and on Setanta in Ireland). The 7-0 hotshot headlines against Scotland's Gavin Reid in the Ulster Hall and was looking sharp on the pads in Midland ABC this afternoon.

 "The weight is great and with the fights coming along thick and fast, I don't have time for the weight to rise," said Carl.

 "Gavin Reid is better than his record suggests. He gives every fight a good go and with eight weeks of preparation he'll be in top shape. I need to get in the best shape of my career to meet him."

Promoter Barry McGuigan was taking Frampton on the pads and feeling the weight of the former amateur star's punches.

"Carl is hitting really hard and sitting down on his shots now," explained McGuigan.

"He's going over to Scotland for some quality sparring with John Simpson. We watched the recent European title fight between Casey and Hyland and I believe Carl is ready for either man, that's the level we will be targetting very soon. December 3 is going to be a great night and with an undercard that sees fighters tested."

Lurgan welterweight Stephen Haughian heads that undercard with a tough encounter against Derby's Dave Ryan. The 27-year-old, who calls himself Rocky, is a former Midlands Area champion and won that title by knockout.

Unbeaten flyweight Jamie Conlan also features, alongside Ryan Greene and Troy James.

Prospect Chris Keane gets a tricky opponent in the form of Sheffield's Billy Boyle, a former Commonwealth title challenger. Boyle has mixed with the likes of Nathan Cleverly, Tony Oakey and Carl Dilks during a 19-fight career.

Tickets priced £30-£55 are now available on ticketmaster.