"I'd fight Jason Booth tomorrow" says Carl Frampton

Undefeated Belfast boxer Carl Frampton returns to the ring in Huddersfield on Saturday March 5th when the super-bantamweight provides support to the Gary Sykes-Carl Johanneson British title headliner. The 24-year-old from Tigers Bay faces rugged Bulgarian Alexander Vladimirov, a 30-year-old who sports a 9-4-1 (4 Kos) record.

“It would be good to get some rounds under my belt and he has been in some good company,” stated Frampton. “He’s a tough boy, never been stopped. It is an eight-rounder and hopefully he can take me into the later rounds.”

Despite Vladimirov’s reputation for durability (never stopped in four defeats), Frampton has dismissed his previous two opponents inside the distance. Gavin Reid lasted two rounds in a Celtic title challenge last December and Ukrainian Yuriy Voronin managed three rounds in the same Ulster Hall venue in September.

“Training has gone well and I believe I can fight for eight rounds. Jason Booth is the British and Commonwealth champion and I would fight him tomorrow. Kiko Martinez is another option because I am currently ranked in the top ten in Europe.”

Carl will be keeping a close eye on Willie Casey when the Limerick man tackles high-class Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux in Dublin on March 19. Hard hitting Spaniard Martinez is now also a realistic target and the idea of Frampton facing off with unbeaten Bury starlet Scott Quigg remains a mouth watering prospect. While the options line up, Eastern European tough guy Vladimirov is next on the agenda. Having gone the 12 round distance with an unbeaten fighter in his last outing, the Sofia native could prove a tricky customer for Carl. Now sporting an 8-0 slate with five victories via the early finish, Frampton is already eyeing the big time.

“I feel I am ready to fight for these titles,” he said. “All I have to do is keep winning and I will get a shot at a belt.”