Frampton on Murray v Rees card
9 May 2011 – Jonny Stapleton
Carl Frampton wants to bring his win total to double figures with victory over a big name on the undercard of Andrew Murrays European lightweight title fight with Gavin Rees in Cardiff on June 4.
The Belfast prospect adds more Irish flavour to the Matchroom fight menu and is hopping to secure a British or Commonwealth title eliminator against a marquee opponent on next months show.
The Jackal had initially hoped to emulate Leinster and fellow Ulsterman Murray by challenging for European honours in the Welsh capital, but Joaquin Cespedes refused to face him in a scrap for the vacant EU strap. However, patience isnt a virtue the Tiger Bay man has and he is now determined to progress toward a domestic title with a win over a recognised name in what looks like another exciting night for Irish boxing fans.
My next fight will be in Cardiff on June 4. Barry (McGuigan) is talking to fighters now and we are trying to get a recognisable fighter to challenge me. Hopefully the fight will be a British title eliminator. We were hoping to get an EU shot but Cespedes doesnt want that fight now. So I am hoping for a British title eliminator, Frampton told Mirror Sport.
The aim is to fight someone more challenging every time and to move up the rankings. I dont want to go backwards or stand still I want to progress. I am ready for any of the boys in Britain right now. I would fight Jason Booth, Rendall Munroe-he didnt impress me last time out-Scott Quigg and so on. I am happy to fight any of them. Hopefully myself and Andy will make it two Irish wins on the night. It should be a great atmosphere I am sure his fans will get behind me and mine behind him.
The Barry McGuigan managed star has lived up to if not eclipsed his hot prospect billing and has more than impressed in his first nine innings. As a result the confident, yet not arrogant, pugilist is already having difficulty securing worthy opponents.
It could take six more months for me to get a British title fight, which is a little frustrating. The big fights are proving harder to get. Again I would love to fight Jason Booth now, but I am not sure he wants that fight. People dont seem to want to fight me. If that is the case then we have to work our way into mandatory positions, Frampton added before discussing the fact he is on another Matchroom show.
Matchroom are keen on me. Barry has a good relationship with them too. They have seen how good Irish fight fans can be at McCloskey Khan. I am sure they are looking at Mike Perez now too after his Prizefighter win. Things are looking up. There is potential for big shows with me and Paul McCloskey in Belfast.
