Frampton on Lindsay v Simpson

13 December 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Carl Frampton has warned Martin Lindsay he faces a tough nights work when he defends in British featherweight title against John Simspon in the Kings Hall on Wednesday night.

The recently crowned Celtic champ has indeptt knowledge of the Scot having sparred the former British champion on numerous occasions over the last six months.

And having seen Simspon up close and personal, Frampton has stressed Mac Man will have to produce his best to keep the title Simpson challenged for on no fewer than three occasions.

The Jackal, who highlighted Lindsay as a potential world title challenger and is envisaging a Christmas boxing cracker tomorrow, has warned University graduate Lindsay will have to be smart against a super fit and relentless opponent.

Lindsay is definitely in for a tough and hard night, Frampton told Mirror Sport. There is no doubt Lindsay has the tools to win and possibly become a world champion. He is a very good fighter but he will have to be at his best tomorrow. I think this fight is going to be a great one.

I have sparred Simpson on a good few occasions and he is always super fit. He is sparring a world champion in Ricky Burns on a regular enough basis. He is very strong and relentless in the ring. He will come forward all night. He is another one of those fighters whose record betrays him. He has been robbed a couple of times and being hard done by on more than one of a few occasions. He was close in a Commonwealth title fight against Smith and he himself would admit a bit below par on that night.

Meanwhile reigning European featherweight champion Sofiane Takoucht is open to fighting either Patrick Hyland or Lindsay next year.

The French fighter admitted to turning down an offer from Brian Peters promotions to fight Hyland in favour of making a mandatory defence but stressed he would be willing to come to Ireland to fight either of the ranked featherweights in 2011.

Baby Face Takoucht must first overcome the challenge of Alex Miskirtchian in Marseille on January 29, but he is confident of victory in his first defence and stressed he wouldnt fear taking on either Irish fighter once successful.

If the conditions are suitable I would have no problem fighting either Irish boxer, the continental champ told Mirror sport. I have seen both fighters and although you can never be 100 percent sure of winning I didnt see anything to be scared of.

We first have to defeat the mandatory challenger but I am confident I will retain my title without difficulty and then I am open to fighting Lindsay or Hyland. We did turn down the chance to fight Patrick Hyland already because we thought we should fight a fighter with a better ranking. We want to fight for a world title soon and are trying to position ourselves for that.