Sport

Carl Frampton on course for super-featherweight title shot as Katie Taylor bids to become two-weight world champion

Katie Taylor bids to become two-weight world champion in Manchester tonight
Katie Taylor bids to become two-weight world champion in Manchester tonight Katie Taylor bids to become two-weight world champion in Manchester tonight

CARL Frampton is on course to challenge WBO super-featherweight champion Jamel Herring early next year but only if he comes through his comeback fight against Tyler McCreary in Las Vegas on November 30.

Former US Marine Herring – who in August told The Irish News that it would be his “privilege and great honour” to face Frampton – defends his title against Lamont Roach in Fresno, California next weekend.

Three weeks later, Frampton ducks through the ropes for his first fight since December 22 last year when he lost a thrilling challenge against IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington at Manchester Arena.

Unbeaten McCreary is expected to pose him problems but if Frampton can get over them as he should, and Herring comes through his November test, the Irish News understands that they could meet in the US early next year for Herring’s title.

Victory in that fight would make Frampton Ireland’s first ever three-weight world champion after he has previous held titles at super-bantamweight and featherweight.

Herring will have some physical advantages but Frampton will be far superior in terms of technical ability and will be confident he could out-box him. As ever in boxing, but particularly at this stage of Frampton’s career, everything hinges on the next fight.

Meanwhile, Katie Taylor bids to become a two-weight world champion when she challenges Greece-based Christina Linardatou for the WBO light-welterweight title at Manchester Arena tonight. Taylor makes the step up to 140lbs having carried all before her in the lightweight division and she will join Steve Collins and Carl Frampton in Ireland’s elite club of two-weight world champions if she wins tonight.

“It’s very exciting,” said Taylor.

“I have a chance to become a two-weight world champion and I’m well prepared for this challenge. I’ve had a long training camp for this fight, the longest camp I’ve had for a professional fight so I’m feeling well-prepared and strong.

“These are the challenges that I absolutely relish and I’m expecting a very, very tough fight. Obviously she’s the champion and I’m the challenger and it’s going to be a tough fight but I’m ready.”

Moving up to light-welterweight will bring new challenges for Taylor against bigger, more powerful opponents. The Bray native is confident she has the boxing ability and conditioning to cope.

“I’m in against the bigger and stronger girls now but I’ve put in hundreds and hundreds of rounds of sparring of the last few years and I am ready,” she said.

“I’m prepared for this kind of challenge and I’ve had a lot of strength and conditioning over the last few months as well so I’m feeling ready and I can’t wait to get in there.”

She added: “There are a lot of big fights out there but I’m only focussed on this fight.

“I have to get past Christina before the other big names are available to me so it’s a big, big night for me on Saturday and I’m just completely focussed on it.”

Dominican Republic-born Linardatou beat Canadian Kandi Wyatt to win the WBO belt in March and has already defended. She predicts a ‘cat and mouse’ fight tonight.

“I’m always ready,” said Linardatou.

“This is what I love and what I want to do so I’m ready for any challenge. I love challenges and I can handle everything and I do what I have to in the ring to get the win.”