Selby: I’ll face Carl in Belfast
CARL Frampton will go into tonight’s battle in the knowledge that IBF World champion Lee Selby has said he is willing to face him at Windsor Park this summer.
Frampton clashes with fellow multi-weight world champion Nonito Donaire at the SSE Arena over 12 rounds, while Selby has his own big night on May 19 when he defends his belt against mandatory challenger Josh Warrington at Elland Road, the home of Leeds United.
Speaking exclusively to the Belfast Telegraph, Selby said: “I would love to fight Frampton and I will come to Belfast and fight him at Windsor Park.
“All the best fighters go on the road and defend their titles, that’s why they’re world champions and it probably makes the most sense to have it in Belfast,” said Selby.
“To get the win over Frampton would be massive for me. He’s a big stand-out name in the featherweight division so it would give me the chance to make a big statement, it would be great.
“To be honest I don’t know why it hasn’t happened already, it’s certainly not been anything on my part. I think if you’re going to call yourself the best featherweight in the world then you have to know you’re the best in the UK and a fight between me and Frampton would decide that.
“First of all I have to deal with Warrington. I’m not sure how he’s going to come at me but whatever he has I will have an answer to it.”
As for this evening’s clash in the SSE Arena, Selby is confident that Frampton will turn back the challenge of 35-year-old Donaire — and in emphatic fashion.
“I think early on they’re going to be wary of each other’s power, they’re both big punchers but I feel that the end result will be that Frampton stops him later on in the fight. The home advantage and the desire of Frampton will be key factors,” added Selby.
Former World champion Frampton insists he is primed to set up his dream of a world title shot at Windsor Park, whether it is against Selby or WBO featherweight champion Valdez.
“I feel there is a big performance coming. As a fighter you know when you feel just right. The Windsor Park carrot is dangling in front of me and Donaire is standing in my way,” said Frampton.
“We’ve got the perfect number of rounds in this time. It’s not as much as what I used to be doing two or three years ago, but it’s the perfect amount of rounds. I feel fit, I feel sharp, I’m recovering quicker in between rounds. It all adds up to what should be a special performance.”
Frampton’s coach Jamie Moore is equally as confident having watched the Belfast man weigh in virtually a full pound under the 9st limit at yesterday’s weigh-in.
“He really is in great shape for this fight. He has done everything right and is really motivated to put in a top class performance. It really has been a great camp,” said Moore.
Filipino Flash Donaire was also comfortably inside the featherweight limit as he tipped the scales half a pound under the limit.