Frampton: This is just the beginning
CARL Frampton realised a 20 year dream when he buckled the IBF World title around his waist in on Saturday night, but instantly set himself new goals and declared ‘this is just the beginning’.
Frampton joined an elite group of Irish champions when he became the countries twentieth World champion on the biggest boxing show ever to be staged in Belfast. The victory over Kiko Martinez in front of 16,000 fight fans should be enough legendary Irish boxing status, but ‘The Jackal’ has bigger aspirations and has plans to take the World by storm.
Names like Scott Quigg, Leo Santa Cruz, Gullerimo Rigondeaux and Chris Avolas are all on the immediate horizon, but Cyclone Promotions believe the Belfast 27 year old can become a two weight world champion.
For now however, the big hitting big ticket seller is content to let his World title achievement sink in.
“It has been 20 years in the making. It will take a while to sink in. I have a sore head at the minute, so I can’t really think straight, but this is brilliant,” he told the press in the early hours of Sunday morning.
“I have worked so hard to get here but I am far from finished. This is only the beginning. This is just amazing, It is something I have wanted to do my whole life . I am getting a wee bit emotional. It is just unbelievable. It really is,” said Frampton.
Frampton also paid tribute to mentor Barry McGuigan who has backed and guided a fighter he believes can become Ireland’s greatest ever pugilist since he turned pro in 2009.
“He said after two professional fights that I would be a World champion and people laughed at him. Barry has his reputation to think about but he backed me and I have to thank him from the bottom of my heart as he has looked after me.
