Belfast man bites back at
Quigg camp after Ringside jibe
January 27, 2012
Photo Credits: Lawrence Lustig
(JAN 27) Carl Frampton says he thrives on
the pressure to perform as he defends his Commonwealth
Super-Bantamweight title against Kris Hughes at a sold-out York Hall,
Bethnal Green tomorrow night (January 28) live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1
from 9pm. Frampton, 24, is aiming to extend his unbeaten
record to 12 fights as he tackles the Scotsman – also 24 – who is
fighting for the title for the second time having lost to Jamie Arthur
in October 2010. That remains Hughes’ only defeat in 16 pro
contests and the Bellshill man has promised Frampton a tough night. ‘The
Jackal’ is thrilled that the show is a sell-out and says he is happy to
be under pressure to impress in east London.
“It's a big opportunity to impress in
front of a sold-out crowd at the start of my break through year and I
think that 2013 I'll be one of the best in the World,” said Frampton.
“There is pressure on me but I really don't feel it. People like Barry
are raving about me but that's a good thing and I think I perform better
when the pressure is on and I'm under the spotlight. My feet are firmly
on the ground though so that's not a problem.
“Boxing away from home at the top of the
bill is a great chance to learn how to deal with different atmospheres.”
Frampton continues to be linked with a fight with British champion Scott
Quigg, the Bury man who defends his title against Jamie Arthur next
Saturday live on Sky Sports. Quigg’s trainer Joe Gallagher accused
Frampton of trying to make a name on the back of Scott Quigg on Sky
Sports Thursday night Ringside show, and the Belfast man followed his
mentor McGuigan in refuting that charge.
“I only talk about Scott Quigg because people keep asking about him,”
said Frampton. “If I ever fought him I know that I would beat him,
doesn't matter whether it would be in Belfast or Bury, or even on his
own street. But that's another day and I've got to deal with Kris Hughes
first. I do respect Scott a lot though and it would be a great fight.”
Under the guidance of Irish legend Barry McGuigan, Frampton has found
himself in the public eye early in his career. McGuigan is convinced he
has a star on his hands, having seen Frampton perform heroics as an
amateur and Frampton feels he’s in the best hands with the former World
Featherweight king.
“A lot of the attention is to do with Barry but it's also up to me to do
the business and people haven't seen the best of me,” said Frampton. “I
maybe am getting more recognition than I deserve so far which is down to
Barry, but it's important to learn how to deal with it. Barry is a
massive name in the game, the word legend is overused but he really is a
legend and his appeal transcends the sport as he bridged the gap between
two communities so he's an incredible inspiration and a great man to
learn from.”
Card and weights
12 x 3 mins Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Championship
CARL FRAMPTON (8st 9lb 8oz) v KRIS HUGHES (8st 9lb 1oz)
10 x 3 mins English Light-Middleweight Championship
ERIC OCHIENG (11st) v NICK QUIGLEY (10st 13lb)
8 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest
JOHN RYDER (11st 8lb) v MARIUSZ BISKUPSKI (11st 3lb)
8 x 3 mins Super-Middleweight Contest
DANIEL CADMAN (12st 4lb) v ROBIN REID (12st 2lb 14oz)
4 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest
RYAN TAYLOR (9st 13lb 4oz) v ROBIN DEACON (10st 2lb 5oz)
4 x 3 mins Cruiserweight Contest
WADI CAMACHO (14st 10lb 6oz) v MOSES MATOVU (14st 10st 12oz)
4 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight Contest @ 12st 10lbs – weigh-in tomorrow
ANDREAS EVANGELOU v ROBERT STUDZINSKI
(Enfield) (Llanelli)
Published on WBAN. We cover women's boxing and men's boxing.
