Carl Frampton and Jamel Herring face separate challenges before world title fight

Both Carl Frampton [27(15)-2(0)] and Jamel Herring [21(10)-2(1)] will have to overcome separate challenges if they are to trade leather in a world title fight.

The champion was initially meant to put his title on the line against the Belfast favourite on June 13.

Windsor Park was muted as a potential venue for the Framptons’ three weight world title attempt and American Herring was more than willing to come to Belfast.

The current pandemic put paid to those plans, but a positive vibe remained with regard to the WBO super featherweight world title fight.

Both fighters and their promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank have assured the fight will take place once possible.

Behind doors closed was suggested at first, but it now seems both will fight on separate summer cards before surveying the landscape and seeing if it’s possible to fight.

Herring looks set to defend his title against Puerto Rico’s Jonathan Oquendo as part of a card being staged by Top Rank in in Las Vegas on July 2.

While Frampton could appear on a Belfast August show according to MTK Vice President Jamie Conlan.

Speaking to Seconds Out Bob Arum explained.

“In the UK, they probably will not be able to do events in the foreseeable future with spectators, so to send Herring over to the UK to do that fight without spectators.

“On the other hand, Frank Warren discussed with us having Frampton come to the United States to fight Herring. The problem with that is, Frampton can’t get in, because of the travel ban.

“So, again, maybe the easiest thing to do, is to give Frampton a fight in the UK against some Brit and give Herring a fight in the United States, with no spectators, against a good contender.

“Hopefully they’ll both be successful and then, when spectators are allowed, hopefully later this year in the winter, they can do that fight.”