Titanic Quarter to host Frampton’s title shot

Barry McGuigan has hailed Carl Frampton’s world-title challenge as a ‘statement event’ after unveiling Belfast’s Titanic Quarter as the novel location for a September 6 date with IBF champion Kiko Martinez.

McGuigan’s Cyclone Promotions, with the assistance of the Stormont Executive in the north, will build a purpose-built 16,000-capacity stadium to host the IBF super-bantamweight world-title bout.

The move comes due to the undefeated Frampton’s growing popularity in his native city after two sell-out shows over the past year at the Odyssey Arena, which saw the 27-year-old extend his record to 18-0, most recently stopping Mexican Hugo Cazares in just two rounds last April.