CARL FRAMPTON RECOVERED from an early setback to retain his IBF super-bantamweight title last night but admitted afterwards that he’s unsure which direction he’ll go in next.
The Belfast boxer hit the canvas twice in the opening round at the Don Haskins Center in Texas but recovered to retain his belt, beating Alejandro Gonzalez Jr by unanimous decision.
The 28-year-old is now unbeaten in 21 professional ranks but revealed afterwards that he had difficulty making the weight and may consider moving up to the featherweight division.
“It wasn’t the performance that I wanted. I don’t want to make excuses but I took a little bit too much weight off the last couple of days,” he said.
“We need to decide what I am going to do from here, whether I stay at this weight or go to featherweight. I don’t know.”
It was Frampton’s first fight in America and was made to work a lot harder than many expected to preserve his unbeaten record.
In the end, two judges scored the fight 116-108 in the Irishman’s favour, with the other scoring it 115-109.
Nonetheless, ‘The Jackal’ admitted he was left shocked by his opponent’s blistering start.
“I don’t know what happened – I was in shock,” he added. “I just came out slow and it was a very soft canvas.
“I need to give Alejandro Gonzalez so much credit. If you look at him, he doesn’t look like a big puncher but, man, he can punch and he’s a warrior. It was exciting.”
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Frampton but if he stays in the super-bantamweight division, a much-anticipated bout with Scott Quigg could be next on the cards.
Quigg dispatched the challenge of Kiko Martinez in two rounds in Manchester on Saturday evening.
Age is finally catching up with her after years of quality tennis
I remember reading up on another article 2/3 weeks back, where Both the Williams sisters got knocked out in the early rounds…age and fitness are finally taking over…sad to see