CARL Frampton intends to make a statement to the world by knocking out Tyler McCreary in Las Vegas tomorrow night.
Action-starved Frampton will be an undercard fighter for the first time in almost seven years on the Oscar Valdez versus Andres Gutierrez headlined Cosmopolitan Casino bill and is determined to go all-in for an everything-to-win/everything-to-lose comeback rumble against relative unknown quantity McCreary (16-0-1).
An emphatic win would set Frampton up for a potential history-making world title in a third weight division, possibly at Madison Square Garden against super-featherweight champion Jamel Herring on St Patrick’s weekend next year.
On the flipside, defeat to ‘Goldenchild’ McCreary and probably even an unconvincing points success at the catchweight 128lbs could mean the end of the road for the Jackal almost a year since his last fight against Josh Warrington in Manchester.
"McCreary is a good, hungry, young, undefeated kid, and this is his big chance,” Frampton acknowledged from his Las Vegas training camp.
“If he beats me, I'm pretty sure in his next fight he'll fight for a world title but it's not going to happen.
“I've prepared very, very hard for this fight. I've prepared like I'm an underdog, and I am going in to put on a show. To be honest, I want to win this fight and I want to knock this kid out."
McCreary hasn’t been in anything like Frampton’s company before now. The Toledo born fighter has had a draw and a split-decision win this year and it would be a massive upset if he forced a win tomorrow night. But Frampton knows that only his best will enable him to force the impressive win he needs to kick on to another world title shot.
"I've had some huge fights in my career,” said Frampton who only other appearance in Las Vegas came back in 2017 when he lost a featherweight title rematch to Leo Santa Cruz (now a four-weight world champion).
“No matter who the opponent is, it's always going to be the biggest fight because of the situation I'm in now. It's a must-win.
“I have to win this fight to fight a champion in my next fight. I want to fight for a world title in my next fight, so I must beat Tyler McCreary and that’s why I’m looking at it as the most important fight of my career.”
Beating Santa Cruz in New York made Frampton the North’s first two-weight world champion and Ireland’s second (Steve Collins was the first). Since then Katie Taylor has joined the exclusive club and now Frampton wants to set a new mark.
"The plan is to become a three-weight world champion, that's my goal,” he said.
“Ireland has a rich history in boxing champions, we've produced so many great fighters and we're still doing it — but to be the guy on top and be the first and only guy to win three titles in three different divisions, it would mean the world to me. I want nothing more than my kids to be proud of me and say that their dad is a three-weight world champion."
Throughout the build-up, McCreary has exuded a quiet confidence. Frampton has described the Ohio native as a Floyd Mayweather wannabe but he has hardly responded.
“It’s a big step up for me, but I feel that I’m ready for it,” McCreary said.
“It’s an opportunity I couldn’t turn down, and I feel that every fight is a risk. I would love to risk my undefeated record against a fighter like Frampton. A win here means a world title shot next.
“I was in the gym training for my October 26 fight and my trainer (Lamar Wright) said we got a call that Carl Frampton was looking for a fight. They didn’t have anyone, and I said, ‘I’ll take it.’ I didn’t hesitate.”
