Frampton: 'All the questions will be answered on the night'

In just under a month Carl Frampton (10-0) will face the biggest test of his career when he faces Kiko Martinez (25-3) for the European Super Bantamweight Title as the co-feature on the Paul McCloskey – Breidis Prescott bill at The Odyssey Arena in Belfast.

Talented boxer and puncher, Frampton has commanded a lot of hype since he turned pro and his manager, Barry McGuigan is responsible for leading the way with much of the plaudits, confidently predicting that his young charge will win a world title.

McGuigan has consistently stated that boxing fans will only see the real Carl Frampton, when he fights better opponents and when he is in real fight. Kiko Martinez is a real fight. But as a ten fight novice is Frampton taking on too much too soon, against the seasoned and heavy-handed European Champion, Kiko Martinez?

Carl Frampton, Barry McGuigan and promoter Eddie Hearn were in Belfast earlier this morning to host a press conference and Boxrec News caught up with Carl Frampton moments before he boarded his flight to return to back to England to finish his training camp. “A lot of people have been saying is this fight too early for me. I don’t want to be in fights against guys that I am expected to beat. Barry (McGuigan) hasn’t matched me easy. I fought Yuriy Voronin in only my seventh fight and then Gavin Reid. That is how you improve, plus good quality sparring – which I have been getting.” “If you are ready then why wait. I am getting good quality sparring. I will be very fit and fully prepared. All of the questions will be answered on the night.”

Indeed, Frampton has travelled around the UK and Ireland to spar with top class operators such as Jason Booth, Ian Napa, John Simpson, Choi Tseveenpurev and new Irish Champion, Mickey Coveney. It is noticeable that the Belfast man has carefully studied his adversary: “He (Martinez) seems to have changed his style a bit, he is not as gung ho, but he is still an aggressive and come forward fighter. Some people have questioned his stamina in the past, but he knocked out Jason Booth in the tenth round in his last fight.”

Frampton did not hesitate to point out that he has been working hard to ensure he is in top shape for his first 12 rounder and also reflected on lessons learned from the tough challenge he faced from Robbie Turley in his previous fight. “Against Turley I was trying too hard to knock him out. It was my first big live fight on Sky and I was trying too hard to impress. But I have to take the positives from that fight, I have done ten rounds in sparring many times but that was the first time I have done it in a fight. I finished strongly in the tenth round, which was probably my best round, so I proved I could do ten rounds and go on. I also got cut in that fight, which was the first time that has happened and I dealt with it.”

Often when an interesting match up is made, promoters are quick to try and persuade the public that it ‘is a 50-50 fight’ or a ‘real tough test’ for their protected prospect. With Frampton v Martinez, the obligatory promoter-speak is not required. Most punters can see for themselves that this is an exciting and evenly matched fight. Irish bookmaker Boylesports see this as a 50-50 fight with both Martinez and Frampton priced at 9/10, whereas Paddy Power give Frampton the edge with 4/6 odds to win.

Although both men can hit hard and Martinez will pose real danger for the full duration of the fight, there is good value in Boylesports 6/4 for Frampton to secure the win on points. Frampton will be given a very tough test by Martinez, but he has the boxing pedigree to outclass Martinez over the distance in front of a raucous crowd in his hometown of Belfast. ‘The Homecoming’ Card at The Oydssey is shaping up to be an exciting night of boxing and it further boosted today with the announcement that Prizefighter winner Mike Perez will be added to the bill.

‘The Homecoming’ Fight Card will take place at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast on 10th September 2011. Paul McCloskey v Breidis Prescott (Official World Title Eliminator), Carl Frampton v Kiko Martinez (European Title), Eamonn O’Kane v Joe Rea, Dee Taggart v Mark Ginley, Luke Wilton v TBA, Mark McCullough v TBA, Mike Perez v TBA.  

Tickets for The Homecoming are available from any of the fighters or at www.odysseyarena.com/boxing.html