FRAMPTON EYES PATRICK’S DAY DATE IN NEW YORK
CARL FRAMPTON is hoping to book a St Patrick’s Day bout in New York City if he gets through his US debut next weekend. The 28-year-old IBF world super bantamweight champion is set to defend his title against Alejandro Gonzalez Junior in El Paso, Texas on Saturday in his first Stateside fight. Frampton has a huge following in Ireland, drawing massive crowds in his native Belfast, but will now be looking to truly arrive on the international stage as the undefeated ‘Jackal’ wants to show American boxing fans what he can do. ‘I’m looking forward to the fight,’ said Frampton ahead of the bout which will be screened on CBS in the US, ITV in the UK and UTV Ireland. ‘It is giving me a chance to showcase my talents on terrestrial television... It means a hell of a lot. ‘It is something me and my team have discussed — I’m pretty well known in the UK and Ireland but in the US, unless you’re a diehard boxing fan you don’t know who Carl Frampton is. This is a chance for a lot of exposure. It is a big deal. It is great for me and for out new promotions team.’ With Frampton meeting Gonzalez Junior in Texas, there remains bad blood between the Irishman and WBA belt holder Scott Quigg, who holds a lesser version of the world title. The pair have blamed one another for their fight not happening. ‘The thing with Quigg is that he is outpricing himself,’ said Frampton. ‘He thinks he is worth more than what he is... why should I sell myself short to Scott Quigg or [promoter] Eddie Hearn?’ Frampton also has his eye on a meeting with unified WBA/WBO champion Guillermo Rigondeaux — with St Patrick’s Day in New York a possible date for the fight. ‘The Rigondeaux fight is a possibility,’ he said. ‘I believe I could win. If you look at him, I completely admire what he does but I’m the only man in the superbantamweight division who could beat him and I’d be ready if the chance comes. ‘There is a good chance my next fight could be in the UK or Ireland and then we would look to go to New York on St Patrick’s Day — I think that is where my main American fanbase will be,’ added Frampton. JASON QUIGLEY will aim to extend his undefeated run to 7-0 when the Donegal middleweight takes on American Tom Howard on a Golden Boy card at the Sports Arena in LA tonight.