Jackal eyes World title while Molitor says defeat could be the end – McCloskey gets WBA Inter-Continental shot
Carl Frampton and Steve Molitor went head-to-head for the first time today ahead of their show topping clash on the Betfair ‘Judgement Day’ bill at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on Saturday night (September 22) live on Sky Sports and both men said the fight was a make-or-break night in their careers.
Frampton defends his Commonwealth and IBF Inter-Continental super bantamweight titles against the two-time World champion and the hometown star believes a World title shot could be the next step if he deals with the Canadian in style.
“He’s been where I want to get to but he’s had his time at the top, now it’s my turn,” said Frampton, 2-7 with Betfair to beat Molitor. “Beating a World class fighter like Steve Molitor puts me high in the rankings and in the running for a World title shot.”
Molitor told today’s press conference at the Odyssey Arena that he may hang up the gloves if he does not beat the 25 year old.
“If I want to be a three-time World champion then I have to beat this kid,” said Molitor, 11-4 to rip the titles from Frampton with Betfair. “I have been out of the ring enjoying my life for ten months or so and on Saturday night you will see a new hungry Steve Molitor. If I cannot beat Carl then I will have to think about hanging them up as I will be saying that I cannot compete at World level now and as a two-time World champ I am used to that.”
There was a title boost for Paul McCloskey as his light welterweight clash with Manuel Perez will now be for the WBA Inter-Continental title, and McCloskey says he can see a route to a second World title shot at the end of this fight.
“I’m feeling sharp and energised and the carrot of a high ranking with the WBA is more than enough for me to give everything on Saturday night,” said McCloskey, 1-3 favourite with Betfair. “He’s a tough, durable guy and I know I won’t have to go looking for him but I am confident of getting the job done and in good style.”
Martin Lindsay and Lee Selby missed today’s press conference, with Lindsay attending the birth of his son Brody. Selby is the 2-7 favourite with Betfair to retain his British and Commonwealth featherweight titles against the former British champ, who is 9-4 to cause an upset in his hometown.
McCloskey’s fellow Dungiven fighter Eamonn O’Kane also in action along with Belfast fighters Jamie Conlan and Dee Walsh will also be in action, and Team GB stars Scotty Cardle, Kal Yafai and Martin Ward all continue their pro education in Belfast.
Tickets are on sale from the Odyssey Arena box office on 028 9073 9074 and at www.odysseyarena.com – tickets are priced at £30, £40, £60 and £100.
Ringside VIPs tickets priced at £150 are exclusively available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com.
McCloskey and O’Kane’s fans can also buy their tickets at the prices above from Eurospar Dungiven and any EuroXchange outlet.
Please find below the latest odds on Frampton vs. Molitor with Betfair: http://sports.betfair.com/boxing/event?id=26889012&exp=s
There are also fixed odds now available on McCloskey vs. Perez: http://sports.betfair.com/boxing/event?id=26892352&exp=s
And Selby vs. Lindsay: http://sports.betfair.com/boxing/event?id=26892350&exp=s
PROVISIONAL RUNNING ORDER (subject to change)
6.05pm 4 x 3 Mins Light Welterweight Contest
BEN MULLIGAN v MARIUSZ BAK
(Fivemiletown) (Brentford)
6.25pm 4 x 3 mins Welterweight Contest
PADDY GALLAGHER v GAVIN PUTNEY
(Belfast) (Luton)
6.45pm 6 x 3 mins Bantamweight Contest
KAL YAFAI v VICTOR KOH
(Birmingham) (Mexico)
7.15pm 6 x 3 mins Lightweight
SCOTT CARDLE v RENALD GARRIDO
(Lytham) (France)
7.45pm 4 x 3 mins Lightweight
MARTIN J. WARD v SIMAS VOLOSINAS
(Brentwood) (Lithuania)
8.05pm 8 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest
EAMONN O’KANE v CHRIS MAFUTA
(Dungiven) (Germany)
9.10pm 12 x 3 British & Commonwealth Featherweight Championship – Live on Sky Sports/ESPN3
LEE SELBY v MARTIN LINDSAY
(Barry) (Belfast)
Followed by 12 x 3 mins International Light-Welterweight Contest – Live on Sky Sports/ESPN3
PAUL MCCLOSKEY v MANUEL PEREZ
(Dungiven) (USA)
Followed by 12 x 3 Commonwealth and IBF Inter-Continental Super-Bantamweight Championship – Live on Sky Sports/ESPN3
CARL FRAMPTON v STEVE MOLITOR
(Belfast) (Canada)
FLOAT 4/6 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest
DEE WALSH v ROBERT STUDZINSKI
(Belfast) (Llanelli)
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