CARL Frampton says he intends to go through Vahram Vardanyan “for a shortcut” when he takes on the littleknown Armenian at the BT Sport Studios in Stratford on August 15.
Frampton will share the bill with Michael Conlan who fights French former world title challenger Sofiane Takoucht at featherweight but will then move down to super-bantamweight and will be mandatory challenger for the WBO world title, possibly on St Patrick’s weekend in New York next year.
Of course Frampton is also chasing a world title but with a 21-1-1 Armenian Vardanyan is used to winning and he will see the fight as a massive opportunity.
“Finally I’ve got my opponent,” said Frampton.
“He’s a good fighter with a decent record. He’s wild, raw and it looks like he can punch as well so I’ll need to be at my best. He is also the exact opposite style of Jamel Herring, who is the goal.
“The goal is Jamel Herring for a world title but this is a fight to keep me busy, keep me active. He is short, he’s orthodox, he swings in his shots.”
Riga-based Vardanyan has boxed at light-welterweight and has 14 stoppage wins on his record. Frampton has already seen one fight with Herring fall through and he is determined that there will be no slip-ups on August 15.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“But I can’t take my eye off the ball. I have to beat this guy who, if he beats me, his whole world opens up and he becomes a name overnight. He’ll be up for it and I have to be at my best, I have to have my eyes on the prize, which is Herring, but I cannot take this guy for granted. I need to win and win well and that’s what I intend to do.”
