Carl Frampton picks his 3 Irish Prospects to Watch in 2019

Carl Frampton has picked out three Belfast prospects as ones to watch in 2019.

The two-weight world champion’s own future in the sport remains unclear, with ‘The Jackal’ considering his options with his family but he remains an avid fan and follower of Irish boxing regardless.

In that sense, the Belfast featherweight is excited for what 2019 has in store and believes that a number of fighters from the Titanic City will make waves domestically over the next 12 months.

Frampton has picked out Newtownabbey light heavy Steven Ward, Turf Lodge light welter Sean McComb, and Sandy Row welter Lewis Crocker as his ‘Irish Fighters To Watch’.

The 31-year-old included the choices in his first weekly column of the year for the Sunday Life.

Frampton had previously described Crocker [7(6)-0] as “the most talented kid in the country” and had the South Belfast banger over training with him in McGuigans Gym in 2016.

The Tiger’s Bay man wants to see Crocker, who turned 22 yesterday, progressed quickly in 2018 having seen a BBBoC Celtic title fight fall through last month.

Frampton said that Crocker is “a very good puncher, very aggressive and has an exciting style that I believe local fans will enjoy.”

“I now hope he is stepped up in class and given the fights that will push him to the position of fighting for the British title by the end of the year.”

Former Elite amateur and European Games bronze medallist McComb [5(3)-0] is another Frampton feels can be progressed quickly.

Frampton outlined that “because of his technique and amateur experience I think he is someone who can be fast-tracked. He’s reminiscent of the great Tommy Hearns because of his dimensions.”

“He’s a long and lean light welterweight who hurts people because he punches so correctly.”

All three chosen fighters are managerial stablemates of Frampton while Ward [9(3)-0] is also a gym-mate under Jamie Moore in Manchester.

However, the three-time champion argues that “not because he trains in the same gym as me but because he is one of the most dedicated fighters I know, I feel this could be a very important year for Steven Ward.”

“He eats right, trains right and works hard to sell tickets,” he said of the reigning BUI Celtic champion.

Photo Credits: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)