Irish hero and recently crowned WBA featherweight champion Carl Frampton returned home to, well, a hero’s welcome yesterday evening in his native Belfast. Greeted by thousands of fans, who lined up on the lawn of the Belfast City Hall, two-weight ruler Frampton looked to be genuinely moved by the affection his fans gave him. Already being called the greatest Irish fighter in history, Frampton, 29-years-old and currently 23-0(14) wants to put a seal on this by becoming a three-weight king.
Frampton thanked his fans for turning out before promising them how he will do all he can to ensure he fights at home as often as he can from here on in and how he aims to give his fans nothing but big, big fights.
“I want to fight in Belfast more often,” Frampton told BBC Sport. “Now I’m the champion again, we can bring the big boys to Belfast. I am the only the second ever Irishman after Steve Collins to win world titles in two different divisions, I would like to have a go at three and stand out on my own.”
Next up for Frampton, more than likely, will be a rematch of the thrilling battle he and Mexican warrior Leo Santa Cruz put on on July 30 in New York. Frampton wants to duplicate his points win, or better it, before the Christmas holidays. After that, who knows – maybe a unification with IBF featherweight champ Lee Selby, and then perhaps a move up to super-featherweight.
Can Frampton become Ireland’s first ever three-weight world ruler? Basing things on the simply fantastic way he fought against the unbeaten Santa Cruz – showing speed, class, toughness, counter-punching efficiency, a solid chin, seemingly limitless stamina and sharp punching prowess – there is no reason to doubt it.
“The Jackal” is already assured a place in the history books, now he is aiming for true, undisputed greatness. Look out the reigning super-featherweight champions! Talent even as great as Francisco Vargas, Orlando Salido and Vasyl Lomachenko could have a real fight on their hands against Frampton next year some time. And how enormous would it be for Irish boxing if one of these fine fighters came over to Belfast to fight Frampton!
