Jono Carroll hoping for James Tennyson World Title fight

Jono Carroll can see it now.

The first all-Irish world title fight – James Tennyson v Jono Carroll – in Belfast next year.

Poleglass super feather Tennyson [22(18)-2(2)] challenges IBF champion Tevin Farmer in Boston on October 20th and Carroll is to fight in a final eliminator for the red belt versus Guillaume Frenois around the same time.

While Carroll [16(3)-0] is not fussed on who he may fight for the title – he has claimed he would knock either out – a win for his countryman would set up a special night

Four terrific knockout wins in the past year and a half – two of which played out on big Belfast cards at the SSE Odyssey Arena – has seen Tennyson become one of the city’s biggest stars while the charismatic Carroll has caught the eye and made a name for himself with three wins in the city in the same period.

A knockout puncher versus a relentless pressure fighter, the match-up has been described as the best fight in Irish boxing – and that’s without even mentioning it being a potential historic world title clash.

‘King Kong’ is keen and stated that “I want Tennyson to beat Farmer because he’s Irish. I’m a boxing fan and I’ll always support my own.”

“It’d be great for the fans to see myself and Tennyson go at it in Belfast. I’ve a great fanbase up there and he’s from there so I’m sure he’d bring a few too.”

“I always set goals. It costs nothing. I’m shooting for the stars and if I hit the top of the trees then that’s fine.”

“I want to be in fights as legendary as Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward. My family don’t love me being in wars but the fans do and I want to entertain them when I fight.”

That’s not to say a fight with Farmer doesn’t appeal.

The Finglas-born, Dunshaughlin-raised, Marbella-based boxer had something of an online spat with ‘The American Dream’ last month and at one stage looked to be the likely first defence for Farmer before Tennyson was announced.

Carroll, who many have noted would be extremely marketable in America, knows the value of making a name Stateside and dethroning the Philly champion would certainly be one way of doing that.

The 26-year-old outlines how “it’s always been my dream to go and fight in America. If it’s Farmer’s belt, I don’t mind going over there and taking it off him.”

“For the fans, I’d rather it was Tennyson in Belfast but if it’s Farmer, what better way to announce yourself to America than winning a world title off one of their own in his own back yard.”

First though, it is Frenchman Frenois [46(12)-1(0)], and new promoter Eddie Hearn has suggested that this fight will come in November or December.