Frampton tells Conrad Cummings: “This time it has to be different”
Carl Frampton has urged his stable mate Conrad Cummings [10(4)-0-1] to keep his emotions in check on Friday and show people his true potential.
Coalisland middleweight Cummings faces German Ronny Mittag [28(14)-2(0)-1] at the Wembley Arena, live on Spike TV, for the IBF Inter-Continental title.
Two-weight World champ Frampton, who held the super bantamweight equivalent of the belt Cummings fights for this weekend, believes that fans are yet to see the best of ‘Mr Dynamite.’
‘The Jackal,’ who trains alongside Cummings in London under Shane McGuigan, feels that this Friday on the George Groves v Eduard Gutknecht undercard is the perfect chance for the Tyrone man to show his gym-proven talents on the big stage.
Writing in his column for the Sunday Life, Frampton admitted that “so far, the public have not seen the Conrad that I’ve seen in the gym. I’ve seen Conrad sparring in the gym with world class fighters and his natural strength and power has put them all under pressure.”
“I think in too many fights he becomes to eager to impress and allows his emotion to take over. This time it has to be different, he needs to let everything flow and then we’ll see the best of him.”
Outlining what Cummings has to do this weekend, Frampton explained how “staying relaxed and focused on the job is going to be the key for Conrad.”
“He needs to be punching as he gets into range and then he can generate the real power he has from his legs which are like tree trunks. It’s his first 12 rounder and he knows he doesn’t have to rush things. He had a very good jab and he needs to use it to help him set up his attacks.”
Describing the need for a statement victory, Frampton stated how “every fighter comes to a point when he needs a performance to see his career move to the next level and this is the moment for my mate Conrad Cummings. He can win with a late stoppage or on points, he just needs to look good because this is a great platform for his career.”
“We know that he has that natural love of a fight but in this one I just want to see him listen to Shane and give a very smart performance, get the win and show people his true potential.”
