Road Map

4 February 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Super-bantamweight Carl Frampton is wasting no time during the embryonic stages of his career and the 22-year-old is already preparing for his next ring outing.

Speaking exclusively to Irish-boxing.com following the National Boxing Awards, the man trained by Gerry Storey told of the high quality sparring hes been enjoying, along with the input of mentor Barry McGuigan.

Im due out on February 12 in Bethnal Green, London, Carl explained. No opponent has been named yet but itll be a four rounder on the Jason Cook-Lenny Daws undercard and hopefully the one after that will be a six rounder.

Speaking of his delight at being named Prospect of the Year, at the national boxing awards in Belfast, Frampton also outlined the benefits of his recent sparring sessions.

I did six rounds with (current British super-bantamweight title holder) Jason Booth and I was happy with how the spar went. Jasons a nice guy, really down-to-earth but for someone who is used to doing the 12 rounds easily he was hanging over the ropes! I could have done another couple of rounds more, so I was pleased with that.

Frampton was stationed with Kevin Maree, a one-time trainer of Michael Gomez, in his Lancashire base. The North Belfast man has already enjoyed workouts with Commonwealth featherweight champion John Simpson and the Upton brothers, his amateur team mates in the Holy Family. Cuban prospect Alexei Acosta, who fights out of Cork under manager Gary Hyde, has also found his way into the opposite corner as Carl samples a wide range of styles.

I did four rounds with Alexei Acosta and Alexeis very good and quite big for a bantamweight too, added Frampton.

It was just after Christmas and I dont think he was feeling the best so we kept it to four rounds, but hes a great talent, with a fantastic jab and he can box well.

Barry [McGuigan] was up watching me spar with Jason Booth and hes just telling me all the old tricks of the trade and Gerry Storey is helping me change the minor things. Im starting to develop now and when Barrys not with me hes on the phone giving me advice. I feel like a proper professional, the old amateur style is completely out the window.

So what does the immediate future hold, for this undoubted hot prospect?

Carl remains realistic, I would like to get the Irish or Celtic title by the end of the year and then be knocking on the door of the British by 2011.