Frampton and Martinez back on for December?
By Jonny Stapleton
Carl Frampton looks set for a surprise Christmas present.
The undefeated prospect is back on course to face Kiko Martinez and could dethrone the European super bantamweight champion in the Kings Hall on December 17.
The EBU have confirmed the Spaniard is free to make a voluntary defence of the famous blue belt-and despite revelations from Frampton he has yet to be contacted about the fight rumours of a December 17 Belfast hosted title fight.
The Belfast fighter will be ring side when veteran warrior Jason Booth and rising star Scott Quigg battle for the British crown this weekend, as Sky hope to pit Quigg and Frampton together in a battle of the hot prospects.
However, having claimed domestic honours on the under card of Paul McCloskey’s world title eliminator victory over Breidis Prescott in just his eleventh fight Barry McGuigan’s protégé looks set to be in contention for continental honours.
Despite the EBU paving the way for the clash Frampton claimed there has been no contact from Martinez’s representatives as of yet, but is eager for the fight.
“Barry and I have yet to be contacted about a fight with Kiko. I would love the fight, but it would be nice to be informed,” Frampton claimed.
Making the mouth watering contest doesn’t seem to a problem as Team Martinez are eager to fight in Belfast in December meaning the 24 year old will be offered the chance to upgrade from Celtic and Commonwealth champion to European title holder and subsequently put himself on the world title path.
The Belfast Boy was originally set to face the three time European champion, who silenced a raucous Point Theatre by beating Bernard Dunne within 86 seconds back in 2007, on September 10 on the McCloskey Homecoming Card.
However, illness Martinez’s father forced the Spaniards withdrawal.
Having trained religiously expecting the biggest test of his career on September 10 Frampton was gutted when a bout that was only signed after some verbal sparring between the teams was cancelled.
There is no doubt the Jackal is dying to sink his teeth into a fighter with significant Irish previous. He was irked by those who claimed a bout with ’Mini Tyson’ had come to early and will be out to prove the doubters wrong and claim a title that once sat proudly on the mantle piece of Bernard Dunne and Willie Casey.
If Frampton fails to agree terms with the Spanaird www.irish-boxing.com are lead to believe he will offer wither Willie Casey or Paulie Hyland a tilt.
http://www.irish-boxing.com/2011/10/irish-super-bantamweights-on-ebu-red-alert/