McGuigan believes Frampton can reach the top

Former World Champion Barry McGuigan is tipping his Super Bantamweight protégé Carl Frampton to follow in his footsteps by reaching the very top in the sport.

The “Clones Cyclone” - who manages a stable of boxers - is very excited about Belfast man Frampton who will have his third pro fight on the undercard of Paul McCloskey’s European title challenge at the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt on Friday, November 6.

While McCloskey will be looking to take the European Light Welterweight title off former World Champ Souleymane M’baye in the main event the 22-year-old Frampton will be looking to continue his professional apprenticeship on the supporting bill.

The 2009 Irish Senior Featherweight Champ made his punch for pay debut in June with an impressive second round KO before adding a second win to his record last month and McGuigan believes he’s destined for stardom.

“Carl’s a world class super bantamweight and every time I watch him spar that’s confirmed to me,” said McGuigan.

“He’s something really special and he has everything that’s needed to succeed in the pro game. He’s a really exciting talent and I think he’ll prove that at the highest level.”

“Right now at this stage of his career it’s all about getting Carl regular fights and the best sparring available. He’s already spent time in a lot of different training camps. Before his last fight he sparred the Commonwealth Featherweight Champ, John Simpson and I’m planning on having him spar the likes of Rendall Munroe and Jason Booth shortly.”

McGuigan also believes that Frampton possesses the kind of knockout power that will make him a big hit with fight fans.

McGuigan said: “He’s a phenomenal puncher. He might only be a super bantamweight but he punches like a welterweight and he’s fabulously exciting to watch and I expect him to be in contention for the British title within 18 months.”

The undercard at the Meadowbank Sports Arena also features Belfast’s Martin Lindsay with the reigning British Featherweight Champion getting a chance to press his European title claims and add to his 14 fight perfect record on the card. In a second title bout on the card Liverpool’s Steve Williams and Londoner Michael Grant will square off in an English Light Welterweight title decider.

Liverpool’s “Dangerous” John Donnelly will also be in action as he builds towards a shot at the British bantamweight title while further local interest will come in the shape of Omagh’s popular light welterweight Damian Taggart with hard hitting Belfast heavyweight, David Hannah also making his debut on the card.