Storey predicts Frampton EBU glory

June 12 Jonny Stapleton

Irish boxing legend Gerry Storey is adamant he and everybody on else in Team Frampton are confident the Belfast prospect can beat Kiko Martinez to become European champion.

There seemed to a bit of a Spanish inquisition early this month as to weather or not The Jackal could hold court with the three time European Champion.

However, after initially turning down the bout, talks between Frampton’s manager, Barry McGuigan and Brian Peters are underway in a bid to make the mouth watering contest for September 10.

And Storey has followed Frampton and indeed Barry McGuigan in stressing the Tiger’s Bay pugilist can unbuckle the EBU super bantamweight title, that once decorated Willie Casey and Bernard Dunne’s mantle piece, from the waist of the heavy handed Spaniard.

“As far as I am concerned once an opponent is picked Carl goes into training to win and we are all behind him 100 percent. We have enough confidence in him and he will win,” the inspirational Storey told www.irish-boxing.com.

“Carl is well schooled. He may only have 10 fights, but he has picked up good experience in those ten fights. He also picked up a massive amount of experience as an amateur. He has travelled the world and holds wins over some of the best amateurs in the world. Fighters, who went on like him to be good pros. He has used that wealth of experience moving up the pro ladder,” he added.

MBE Storey, who was the first Irish winner of the prestigious Laureus World Sport Award and has trained four Olympic Irish teams, also hinted Frampton will have a trick or two up his sleeve come September 10.

The Holy Family boss claims we have yet to see the best of the powerful British title contender and predicts he will be armed as usual with the perfect game plan.

“Carl has stepped up to the stone every time in the pro game. He has boxed guys that would give Kiko trouble and he is ready for him now. Carl can is capable of a lot of things people don’t know about. If this fight comes off expect a few changes. I always say boxing is a game of tactics and skill and Carl is and will be superior in both.”

The undefeated prospect veered away from the game plan slightly last time out as he employed power over panache in a bid to take Robbie Turley out live on Sky.

The very awkward Turley was easily beaten in front of his home Cardiff crowd, but he did frustrate the man tipped to be a world champion.

However, rather than disappointment Storey expressed his delight with both his charge and the Welsh champions display.

The legendary and vastly experienced coach believes Turley’s taught Frampton a lessons that will stand to him throughout his career.

“Carl learnt a few lessons in Wales. We knew Turley was going to be awkward. He is as awkward as any tall south paw and that fight taught Carl a lot. The bottom line was he got his composure back and started boxing. When he did that he was more comfortable and looked a class above. Carl started looking to for the stoppage, but he realised very quick he wasn’t going to get it and he used his skills. He now knows if the knock out comes it comes if it doesn’t he can box his way to a win.”