Road to the world title: Frampton in pictures 2009

In the lead-up to Carl Frampton’s huge headliner this Saturday night Irish Boxing Review have been digging through our photo archives to find some choice snaps of the Belfast world title challenger. We are privileged to have received superb gym access to Carl, even before he turned professional, and here is a celebration of his progression.

In the first set of photographs Carl was just back from the Ahmet Comert Cup in Turkey and is pictured proudly wearing the gold medal around his neck.  Frampton defeated Turkey’s Cetin Ozdemir in the featherweight final. We travelled round to Midland ABC in Tigers Bay to meet with Carl and his coach Billy McKee in May 2009 as part of an article for Irish Fighter magazine.

The second set of photos came in October 2009 at the Holy Family gym with Gerry Storey taking ‘The Jackal’ on the pads. That article ended up in Boxing News magazine as part of their ‘Hot Prospect’s series.

Chris Avalos says he’s being avoided and calls on rivals to face him

Super-bantamweight contender Chris Avalos reckons that he is one of the most avoided boxers in the 122lb weight class. Highly-ranked with both the the IBF and WBO the 24-year-old fancies a crack at the best and gives short shrift to any suggestion that pound-for-pound talent Guillermo Rigondeaux has no willing and able competition.

“Rigondeaux is a chump. I’ve been ranked in the WBO number one spot for the world title and it was supposed to be mandatory that we fight,” scathed Avalos.

Read the rest of this article over at the Boxing Asylum website.

 

Chris Avalos: ‘I will beat the winner of Kiko Martinez-Carl Frampton’

Avalos tells Steve Wellings he is next in line for a shot at the IBF title that will be contested by Martinez and Frampton.

WHEN Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez clash for the Spaniard’s portion of world honours next week there will be one interested spectator across the pond tuning in to see who prevails in the big Belfast blockbuster. California’s Chris Avalos, a 24-year-old with a 24-2 (18) record, sits as IBF super-bantamweight No.1 and will be patiently waiting in line for the winner.

Click here to read the rest of the article on Boxing News Online.

Experts pick their boxing highlights of the year so far

Irish Boxing Review author Steve Wellings was featured among the boxing pundits asked to give their boxing highlights of the year so far. Steve was joined by the founder of First Class Boxing Paul Webb, Nuthouse Podcast host Andy Paterson, dart player extraordinaire and big boxing fan Chris Mason. Heavyweight boxer Clarence Tillman and Nuthouse podcast member and producer Kurt Ward also offered up their opinions.

Belfast’s Tommy Tolan in action tonight

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Photographs: Luca Di Caro

Belfast hard nut Tommy Tolan is back in action later this evening against former prospect George Hillyard. Featuring on the undercard of Mark Prince’s fight with Jiri Svacina in London’s York Hall venue the 39-year-old ‘Tiger’ promises to be a live underdog against a man who has spent considerable time away from the ring.

Macklin prepares for Dublin show and tips Frampton for world glory

macklin (1)Former European middleweight champion and world title challenger Matthew Macklin has endorsed Carl Frampton’s campaign to win the IBF super-bantamweight belt in September. Macklin is spearheading Matchroom’s plans to bring big time boxing to Dublin on August 30 and has half an eye on a money-spinning showdown with Irish rival Andy Lee later this year. Speaking at the Holiday Inn last month the 32-year-old revealed that he fancies Carl Frampton’s chances of landing a global strap at the Titanic Quarter.