We are live from Belfast tomorrow for the #MartinezFrampton2 Weigh-in.Footage, interviews right here @sportviewlondon pic.twitter.com/dv8fiuLIWr
— sportsviewlondon (@sportviewlondon) September 4, 2014
This afternoon at the spectacular Titanic Quarter Belfast, Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez came face-to-face for the penultimate time before they clash for real in the ring.
They traded verbal blows at the final press conference ahead of their highly anticipated rematch on Saturday night, which will be shown live and exclusive on Box Nation in the UK.
The 27-year-old Frampton aims to light up the city of Belfast and conquer the rugged Spaniard for the second time on a historic night that would see him finally claim that coveted IBF strap in front of his loyal followers.
“This has been my motivation since I got into competitive boxing as a kid. To fight for a world title at home in front of the best fans in the world is unbelievable. I can’t wait for Saturday night.” – Carl Frampton
Frampton, who seemingly united a once divided city, is eager to bring the title home.
The Jackal was also respectful toward his tough counterpart, but Frampton was very quick to extinguish his foe’s praise and remind everyone that he is without question a level above the 29-year-old IBF champion.
“Kiko Martinez is a very good fighter but I am better, I beat him before and I will beat him again… He’s very confident and is a respected world champion, but on Saturday night I will do what I have trained so hard for, I will win the world title… He says he has learnt from the first fight, but so have I. I’m a much better fighter than I was the first time we boxed and I will prove that on Saturday night.” – Carl Frampton
In a stark contrast between the heated final presser before their February 2012 bout, the reigning IBF champion Martinez was surprisingly subdued. Peering over his dark sunglasses, Martinez seemed a man resigned to his fate.
“I have no doubt that this will be one of the best fights Ireland has ever seen,” said the tentative champion who will be desperate to set the record straight against his old foe.
“The last fight was a learning experience, sometimes God takes something out of you to give you something better. I will keep my world title.”
Saturday night is edging ever closer now and the anticipation can be felt around the boxing city of Belfast. Many are already convinced that Frampton has the strong champion’s number, leading to an easy nights work for the Jackal, however I am not so sure.
I believe this fight could be just as tough as the first encounter, but with Frampton being up for the challenge and wining comfortably on the scorecards.
Nevertheless the reigning IBF champion was not wrong about the magnitude of this bout, with an expected 16,000 devoted supporters hoping to catch a glimpse of Frampton’s date with destiny.
If the Belfast Boy is to get his hand raised at the final bell, then this mouth watering matchup could live long in the memory of Irish boxing folklore, adding Frampton’s name to the long list of Irish boxing legends such as McAuley, McCullough and of course McGuigan.
