BILLY WALSH IS backing Carl Frampton to make good on his world title dreams — but admits that the Belfast super-bantamweight is “the one that got away” from his stable of amateur stars.

Frampton continued his meteoric rise and became European champion last weekend with a stunning ninth-round knockout of Spain’s Kiko Martinez.

It was a 16th straight win for the 25-year-old, who trained under Walsh and was a two-time national amateur champion before turning professional in 2009.

Now Frampton has his sights set on a world title shot later this year but Walsh says it could just have easily been an Olympic gold medal in London last summer.

“I think he’s an exceptional talent,” Walsh said yesterday at the launch of the Elverys Sports/Coaching Ireland partnership.

He left us at a time where he’d got himself on to funding and I felt he was probably on the verge of greatness. He would have been in London but unfortunately he chose the way he chose; thankfully, it’s working out for him.

I’m very happy for him. He’s a great kid, he deserves all the credit that he gets and I think he’ll have a very, very bright future.

He added: “Unfortunately one got away. We’re lucky enough in the last 10 years we haven’t lost that many and he’s one of the real quality ones that we did lose.”

After Frampton’s brilliant performance brought a packed Odyssey Arena to its feet last weekend, mentor and manager Barry McGuigan described his rising star as a “world-beater.” Walsh agrees that he will be hard to stop when he gets a shot at a world title.

“Without doubt, I think so. He has everything. He has the talent, he has the dedication, and is a lovely guy with it.”

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