Paddy Barnes backs Carl Frampton to become Ireland’s greatest by stopping Jamel Herring

Carl Frampton will stand alone as Ireland’s greatest ever boxer after he knocks out Jamel Herring in Dubai on Saturday night according to Paddy Barnes.

‘The Jackal’ challenges for the American’s WBO super featherweight world title in the Middle East. Victory would not only see him dethrone the former Marine but see him become Ireland’s first three-weight world champion, an achievement some argue will cement his legacy as the greatest from the island to ever lace them up.

One of Ireland’s greatest amateurs and Frampton’s best friend agrees GOAT debates are always subjective and he usually
places massive emphasis on era when discussing it.

However, the two-time Olympic medal winner believes the fact the 34-year-old would have achieved something no one else has, means he would stand alone at the top.

“For a small country we have had some great fighters with amazing achievements, he will be our first three-weight world champ and has fought some big names in his career, for me no question, for me,” he responds when asked if a win would earn Frampton greatest ever status.

” ‘Our greatest ever’ is kind of a generation thing, people will always say but “such and such” years ago, yes in the past we had some great champions, Carl is equally as good but he will stand alone as the three-weight world champ, no one else can say that.

“[A win] would further add to his already cemented legacy,” he adds before suggesting Frampton won’t gloat about the achievement.

“He’s a very modest person and this victory will not change that.”

Barnes has no issue dropping in ‘this victory’, as he is more than confident Frampton will defeat ‘Semper Fi’ on the D4G promotion. In fact, the former world title challenger can see his former underage amateur rival winning via stoppage.

“I think he has a great chance,” continues Barnes. “People go on about Herring’s size and that’s ok but size doesn’t matter tactics do, Carl is a very smart boxer. I have him winning possibly by late stoppage. I’ve been in touch with him everyday. He’s really in great spirits and is extremely excited for this fight. I hope to see Carl starting fast, Herring matching him for a while then Carl outsmarting him, possibly stopping him.”

Barnes and Frampton go back a long way and have been best friends since their teens. Both have gone on to achieve great things in the sport something Barnes suggests they never foreseen.

“To be honest when we were younger I never stopped to think about anything happening like this,” he adds before suggesting Frampton is a rare talent.

“Carl’s reached the pinnacle of professional boxing and then some, fighters like him, not just in Ireland but around the world, only come around so often.”