Three-weight world title hopeful Frampton determined to take the lead in the Irish GOAT race
Carl Frampton [26(15)-2(0)] has his sights set on becoming a three-weight world champion and thus the greatest of all time in terms of Irish fighters.
Frampton fights for the first time this year in Las Vegas tonight and is confident a victory over Tyler McCreary [16(7)-1(0)] will set up a world title shot.
Top Rank and Bob Arum have promised the Belfast fighter a shot at a strap if performs in his first fight since defeat to Josh Warrington last December.
Such is ‘The Jackal’s’ standing and Top Rank’s influence that, Frampton would have option aplenty if he does beat the undefeated American at the Cosmopolitan live on the ESPN+ app.
However, WBO super-featherweight world champion Jamel Herring has been the name dropped most frequently. A fight with ‘Semper Fi’ would give the Belfast man a chance to become Ireland’s first ever three-weight world champion – and he seems determined to secure that shot at history.
“My plan is to become a three-weight world champion,” Frampton explained.
“That’s my goal. Ireland has a rich history in producing world champions. We’ve produced so many great fighters, and we’re still doing it. But the guy on top, and the first guy to win three division world titles would mean the world to me,” said Frampton.
Weigh in done. Thank you to everyone that came out today! Everywhere we go!! Buzzing for tomorrow #GAWA #FramptonMcCreary #StillFrampton pic.twitter.com/NSqLz3mdBV
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) November 30, 2019
The Jamie Moore-trained fighter is too humble to declare three weight world title status would guarantee him Greatest Irish Fighter of All time status ahead of Jimmy McLarnin, but he does feel it certainly put him in the debate, if he isn’t already there.
“If that happened I feel I would have a good argument to go down as the greatest fighter to come from this island. That would be an incredible legacy and one that I would be very proud of – for myself, my family and the fans who have supported me throughout my career.”
The fight with McCreary has been made at a 128lbs catchweight with to open up super-featherweight options.
Considering Herring is also a Top Rank fighter and has been discussed as an option continually over the last month or so, he seems the obvious next step.
Frampton himself agrees and thinks he may on a collision course with the American.
“The fight has been made at 128lb, which is between feather and super-feather so I have the option of either division for a world title shot.
“That’s why I’m still in this business, to win world titles and at the moment the man who is calling me out is the WBO super-featherweight champion Jamel Herring.
“That seems to be the obvious route to another world title shot, at the moment, and it would offer me the chance to become a three-weight world champion. “
