Sport

Josh Warrington has had his time says Carl Frampton coach Jamie Moore

Jamie Moore predicts a "big win" for Carl Frampton at the MEN Arena on December 22
Jamie Moore predicts a "big win" for Carl Frampton at the MEN Arena on December 22 Jamie Moore predicts a "big win" for Carl Frampton at the MEN Arena on December 22

JOSH Warrington had his 12 rounds of fame against Lee Selby in May, says Carl Frampton coach Jamie Moore who predicts an emphatic win for ‘The Jackal’ in the December 22 IBF featherweight world title rumble at the MEN Arena.

Warrington went in as the underdog against Selby but was in charge from the first bell and took a deserved decision win but Moore is convinced that Frampton will end the Leeds fighter’s reign in the first defence of his title.

“I think Lee Selby was probably his big night, I’ve got to be honest,” said Moore.

“Was Lee dead at the weight? No. Absolutely not, because he wouldn’t have made it through 12 rounds. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like.

“Was he tight at the weight? Yes. But, a lot of fighters are tight at the weight. I don’t think you can take away from Josh’s performance by saying Lee was dead at the weight.

“I think Josh raised his game. That was the night he looked for in the whole of his boxing life. From being a kid he would have wanted to win a world title and hoped he had it at Elland Road.

“You can understand how he performed like that. But, Carl Frampton is a different level. To me, he is an elite level fighter.”

Moore admires Warrington’s workrate and style but he predicts that Frampton’s power will get to him in the second half of the fight. The former British and Irish super-welterweight battler can see only one outcome - an emphatic win for Frampton.

“Josh brings pace and work rate so we know Carl has to be on his game physically and he is on track,” said the Salford native.

“His jab, his judgement of range and distance. You can’t just go in there and out work someone who has got the skill set of Carl.

“It takes a lot more than that. You have to set those sort of things up and Carl is very good at stopping an opponent in their tracks or anticipating what they’re gonna do.

“His feet are nice. He has got an unorthodox defence so he’s not a typical hands up, fast feet boxer. He dips, rolls and slides and has an odd rhythm.

“Even though I know it will be competitive in fights like this where the styles are going to gel well, the better fighter with the skill set usually wins.

“Josh will be surprised how hard Carl hits. Since Carl moved up to featherweight people think he is not a puncher, but going in with the opponents he has been in with you can understand why he goes the distance.

“I am not giving away clues for the game plan, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Carl gets him out of there.

“It won’t be early because I think Josh has got a good set of whiskers, but I think it will be a case of breaking him down slowly and later on Carl will get to him.

“The way Carl’s performing, the mindset he’s in, the form he’s in - I can’t see anything but a big Carl Frampton win.”

Meanwhile, Clones fighter Larry Gleeson-Fryers finished 2018 in style with an impressive win in New York last Friday night.

Following in the footsteps of fellow Clones boxers Barry McGuigan and Kevin McBride took on the experienced and durable Ronald Rivas in an action-packed eight-rounder and claimed a unanimous decision victory.

The two combatants stepped into a phonebox early and fought entirely on the inside with Fryers continually coming forward and applying pressure. The Monaghan fighter controlled the action over eight competitive rounds and claimed the win convincingly with final tallies of 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75.

Acknowledging his pride in his home town of Clones in his acceptance speech after the fight, Fryers thanked his family, his coaching team, Paul Moore and most importantly, his fans and supporters who continue to travel to his fights in increasing numbers and also all those in Clones watching the fight live.