06.11.09- By Brendan Galbraith – Tonight, Irish Super Bantamweight Carl Frampton will make his home debut as a professional, facing Hungarian Ignac Kassai (1-5-2), in a four-rounder on the under card of the McCloskey-Rasilla bill in Magherafelt, Derry. Fighting in front of a passionate Irish crowd could become a more regular occurrence for Frampton when his manager, Barry McGuigan secures his promoters licence next year. For now, Frampton is getting ready to deliver another impressive performance, having already clinically disposed of his first two professional opponents; one by a 2nd round KO and the other with a comprehensive points victory.
In our interview with Carl, we learn more about his transition to the pro ranks, his training camp with the top Irish trainers – Gerry Storey (Senior and Junior) and the nervous excitement of making his home debut.. Significantly, Carl reveals his very close relationship to his manager and mentor; Barry McGuigan – referring to McGuigan as more of a friend than simply a manager. McGuigan, clearly impressed by Frampton’s outstanding amateur pedigree, has already predicted that he believes Frampton has what it takes to become a future World Champion. The value of this close relationship with the vastly experienced McGuigan cannot be underestimated, especially, when every fight of a top prospect like Frampton’s is meticulously scrutinised by the expectant fight fan. Carl provides an insight into the wise tutelage and attentive support of McGuigan – who appears to be striking an optimal balance between hyping his talented charge and providing strong emotional support. Both are important.
For instance, marketability is a vital ingredient for a professional boxer – as professional boxing is a business after all – and this is reflected in The Ring Magazine’s ranking criteria. However, mental strength and character are prerequisites for greatness. As the great fistic guru Cus D’Amato reminds us: “character is more important than boxing ability – without character, the power of mind, willpower, you’ll never be a champion”. McGuigan is on record as stating that he feels that Frampton “has everything needed to succeed in the pro game” and coupled with the intrinsic relationship that exists between both men – you sense that Frampton is in very good hands and has a strong platform to fulfil his exciting potential.
Below is the full interview with Carl Frampton.
How does feel to be making your Irish debut as a pro in front of a passionate home crowd?
To tell you the truth I am a wee bit nervous because I have sold a load of tickets and there is a lot of people coming to watch me and there has been a bit of hype about me on the news and on UTV (Ulster Television) – so I know I have to impress. I can’t go out and look ordinary, I know I am going to have to look good
What are your expectations going into the fight? Would you like to get the rounds under belt or get your opponent out of there early to make an impression?
If the chance comes to get him out – then it happens, but it would not bother me to get four rounds in and win on points, but I will not be going looking for the KO. If the chance comes and it happens then it will be good.
How is your camp going? I have read that you have been doing a bit of sparring with Gary Hamilton?
Yeah, Gary was in for three days last week doing a bit of sparring. He is a good bit heavier than me, he has a different style than most, but he is very, very strong and he can take a dig as well. Gary is a nice guy and he is going to help me out again, he said he enjoyed the sparring and he is going to come back over and maybe I can help him as well because I think he is getting ready for a World Title Kickboxing Fight.
And, you are working with a top trainer in Gerry Storey? How has that been?
Yeah, I am working with Gerry and everything is going brilliant. He has been pushing me hard, and that is what I wanted when I turned pro, he has me up every morning in Cavehill (Belfast Mountains) doing sprints and stuff. I am back in the gym as well he is working me on the pads and in sparring and he is working me hard on fitness. I love it. The change over [from amateur to pro] has gone really well, I just hope that I can carry it on tomorrow night
What have been the main differences that you have noticed since you have turned pro?
It is just about fitness. I am still on doing four rounds but I am really working hard on getting my fitness up, so that it will be easier when I increase the tempo to six or eight rounds. I am tweaking other wee things, like I am throwing to much into every shot that I throw, instead of maybe chipping in a couple and then with the last one – you know bang the last one in hard. It is just wee things that, plus having better head movement, rather than just standing with my hands up high in my old amateur style. It is all coming along well.
Tell me about your set-up (i.e. manager, trainer, promoter)?
McGuigan is manager. Gerry Storey (senior and junior) are involved in Carl’s training. Barry McGuigan has a deal set up with Matchroom and Barry Hearn, until he gets his promoters licence – which he reckons he will have within the next six months or so – so he will be able to promote his own show. Barry has got me, and a guy called Roy James (who is fighting in Magherfelt tomorrow night as well), he has another big guy who is the English ABA Cruiserweight Champion and then he just signed Kenny Anderson. So, hopefully, when Barry gets his promoters licence, he will be able to put the four of us on his shows together and hopefully he can run a few over here in Northern Ireland as well.
What is like with working with a legend like Barry McGuigan?
It is still a bit weird when he (Barry McGuigan) phones me and stuff. But, he is a good friend, he is not just my manager and he is on the phone a lot. He has actually invited me over to his house on Monday to stay with him for a week and train. And he is more of a friend than a manager, he is always giving me advice – he is a good guy – he definitely is a nice guy.
Carl, to give readers more of an idea of you as a fighter, how would you describe your boxing style?
I would say that I am aggressive, but I can adapt, if someone wants to come forward to me I like it, I like to box on the back foot as well. I can box both ways, but I would be more aggressive than a counter puncher – but if it comes down to it I can counter punch as well – so I am not just a one-trick pony. I am orthodox. My left is probably my most powerful shot.
Finally, Carl can you tell me a little about your amateur record?
I was two-times Irish Junior Champion. The first time, 2005, when I was in a Flyweight when I was 16, and then I won it again as a Featherweight in 2009 (earlier this year). That was probably my best win, when I beat Oliver Joyce. But, I won a few multi-nations as well. The best multi-nations that I probably won was in Turkey – were I had four fights in four days against good opposition. I got a silver medal in the EU as well and the French guy who beat me won a silver medal at the Olympics – but I gave him a good fight.