There is not an opinion in the world of boxing I value more than that of Barry McGuigan. I feel that’s an opinion shared by most, if not all boxing fans the world over. And, when it comes to Carl Frampton the legendary Clones Cyclone is convinced.
Of course McGuigan is entrenched in the Frampton camp, with managerial and promotional responsibilities, alongside his mentoring capacity. So, it would be easy, or lazy, to deduce that McGuigan is biased and more likely to push the credentials of a fighter, whom he would use for financial gain. You know, like a normal manager or promoter?
But, I think that’s what makes Frampton and his team special, this is not a financial endeavour, this is much, much more than that. This is about McGuigan and his son Shane, Frampton’s excellent trainer, facilitating a special individual in his attempts to replicate and even surpass his exploits and bring genuine big time boxing back to Ireland and with it, a unity not seen since the heyday of you know who.
On Saturday night, Frampton (18-0-0 13KO’s) challenges previous victim Kiko Martinez for the IBF Super-Bantamweight World Title, in what promises to be a difficult bout against an in-form world champion in no mood to relinquish his twice defended strap.
Since being outclassed, outgunned and stopped in 9 rounds back in February 2013, Martinez has gone on to record 4 straight stoppage victories, most notably travelling to New Jersey to dethrone Jhonatan Romero in the 6th. This is a man with purpose and a real desire to avenge his first career stoppage defeat, a fact which won’t be lost on the self-aware Irishman.
Unfortunately for the Spaniard, he is dealing with a different animal entirely to his last four foes and although gentle and thoughtful out of the ring, Frampton is vicious within and Martinez knows it. What he is dealing with is a composed and complete fighter, championship ready for at least 18 months and brought to boil just at the right moment.
What we will see on Saturday is the culmination of a five-year journey, masterminded by Ireland’s favourite son, played out in a purpose built 16,000-seater stadium in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, filled with an atmosphere of unrivalled passion, united behind their newest hero.
Team Frampton couldn’t have timed things better, building quietly, but positively, shunning the promise of swifter success under the Matchroom banner to retain control and provide a platform befitting of the occasion.
On Saturday night, I believe Frampton will announce himself on the world scene and rip the world title from Martinez via a stoppage, likely to be earlier than the 9th round demolition previously achieved.
Moving forward, I back him to confirm what McGuigan seems to already know, that he is a superstars capable of unifying titles and moving through the weight classes, unlike many British fighter before him.
I’ll repeat, when Barry McGuigan talks boxing, you listen… Take note.
