[ad_1]
Carl Frampton says he is on a race with Katie Taylor to become Ireland’s first three-weight world champion.
Frampton, Taylor, and Steve Collins are the only three fighters from this island to have conquered the world at two separate weights.
Belfast man Frampton has clinched the IBF and WBA super bantamweight titles, in addition to the WBA featherweight (Super) title, in a brilliant career.
Now he’s aiming for a historic hat-trick after confirming a fight with WBO junior light-belt holder Jamel Herring, it will most likely happen once the pandemic regulations are relaxed.
He is desperate to alter the odds, but Frampton accepts that time is running out, especially since Taylor continues to take the ranks paid by storm.
“When I turned professional, my dream was to become world champion,” the 33-year-old told Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
“If a genius had granted me a wish and said ‘you will become a world champion and lose him in your first defense’, I think he would have accepted it. To become a two-weight world champion and the things that In my career, obviously I’m very proud.
“But becoming a three-weight world champion, and the first on the island of Ireland, is going to be huge.”
“There are three two-weight world champions: me, Katie Taylor and Steve Collins. Being just a three-weight champion would be huge.”
“I think Katie Taylor will become a three-weight world champion at some point in her career. She would be brilliant in front of her.”
Frampton said he was fully prepared for a summer showdown with Herring, but the coronavirus outbreak disrupted all plans.
However, he remains focused and hungry, convinced that he will eventually alter the odds.
“Everything was quite in agreement about fighting. We tentatively had a June 13 date at Windsor Park and then obviously everyone was hit by the coronavirus pandemic and that was ruled out, but the fight is almost over and I believe it will happen in some time when it’s safe to do so.
“I felt like I was in a good place mentally. I feel physically like I was at my best really. I know I’m not the youngest boy in the world anymore, but I’m still doing things now that I couldn’t do in my mid-20s years.
“I’m the underdog, I know. Jamel Herring is the champion, he’s also a great guy. There really isn’t much pressure on me. I really think I can win this fight.”
Frampton also admitted that a great night under the lights at Windsor Park seems unlikely.
“I think that is probably ruled out now,” he said.
“Weather conditions in Northern Ireland are not great. I think if it occurs no later than the beginning of September, I will probably rule out an outdoor stadium.”
“If we don’t do Windsor Park, why would Jamel Herring want to come to the Odyssey as the champion to fight me in an indoor arena when he can do that in New York? Madison Square Garden has been mentioned.”
“That would be a dream for me. I have boxed in some big arenas around the world but not in Madison Square Garden.”
[ad_2]