Carl Frampton backs “old mate” Roy Sheahan for Last Man Standing glory

Two-weight champion Carl Frampton [24(14)-1(0)] has taken an interest in the Ireland’s Last Man Standing competition, and Belfast featherweight is backing his “old mate” to make an impact.

The eight-man, single-elimination middleweight tournament takes place at the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday March 3rd, and the competitors were confirmed last week.

Alongside five undefeated prospects, BBBoC Celtic title challenger Alfredo Meli, and veteran Henry Coyle, there was the shock inclusion of four-time Irish Elite Senior champion Roy Sheahan.

The Kildare fighter is yet to debut – and is required to do so before he can fight in the Last Man Standing – but has attracted a lot of attention and backing, with Frampton the latest to throw his support behind him.

The pair are former team-mates on the Irish amateur team, and both medalled at the 2007 EU Championships in Dublin – with Frampton claiming silver and catching the eye of Barry McGuigan, while Sheahan took home welterweight gold.

Frampton, who returns to the ring on April 21st in Belfast versus four-weight champ Nonito Donaire, believes that Sheahan is well suited to the format and described the Athy man as the “dark horse.”

Writing in his weekly column for the Sunday Life, Frampton outlined how “the Ireland’s Last Man Standing event, just like Sky’s Prizefighter concept, was confirmed this weekend the line-up is an interesting and surprising mix of boxers.”

“Belfast’s Fredo Meli will clearly feel he has a real shot, though he’s an attritional fighter and I’m not sure that the three rounds will suit him. Then you have veterans like Henry Coyle, prospect Sean McGlinchey, and my old mate Roy Sheahan making his pro debut at 33.”

“Roy could actually be the dark horse because he can box and has decent power and he has been used to three rounds all his life.”