Frampton: Kiko has improved but so have I and I will get the job done quicker this time
Since the Belfast super bantamweight became the first-and remains the only fighter- to stop Bernard Dunne’s former destroyer back in February of xx pint sized battler has put together an impressive run of victories.
‘Mini Tyson’, as he was labeled by Dublin fight fans after he knocked out then European Dunne, has claimed the IBF World title and defended it on the road twice-with all victories coming inside the distance.
He comes to Belfast on September 6 promising revenge, whilst belittling Ireland’s best supported boxer’s victory in the first meeting.
Frampton, pays no heed to the World champions comments and whilst he admits their has been improvements in the puncher now under Sergio Martinez’s promotional wing he is confident he will get the job done quicker the second time round.
I’m obviously over the moon to get another chance at Kiko Martinez.
After I beat him he went away, did well and became a world champion so you have to give him credit for that. I think he is an improved fighter, slightly. I’m definitely an improved fighter, so I think it has all the ingredients for an amazing fight – even better than the last one which was half decent,
I just want to thank everyone involved for getting this, especially Jake (McGuigan) who worked tirelessly on the phone day and night, but we got it done. It’s up to me to deliver now and bring it back home.
“He may be a better fighter (now), slightly, but nothing dramatic has changed. I think this has all the ingredients for a proper ding-dong.
“He will be coming here to win. He is looking redemption because he got embarrassed last time with all his talk before the fight – what he was going to do to me and that I couldn’t knock his nephew out.
“I out-boxed him , out-fought him and then knocked him out. It’s going to be a tough fight but I’m expecting the same result.
“I don’t think it will be similar to the last fight. It will be a tough fight but I think I will knock him out earlier this time.
“That’s bold, but I have learned from the last fight and the mistakes I made. It’s a bold prediction. I’m not one to predict rounds, but I’m very confident I can beat this gut up and do it earlier than the last time.”
It is a bold statement, but one Frampton makes on the back of some impressive knock out wins. The popular ticket seller is confident he is even more powerful than the last time the duo meet.
“Shane McGuigan) is holding the pads and the sparring partners will tell you, my power has gone up. I have been beating my PBs in the gym with lifting, but my fighting up close has improved. In the pocket, staying close, being able to slip and block then counter from close range has also improved.”
