Belfast boy Car Frampton will challenge Kiko Martinez for the European super-bantamweight title in September.
Belfast crowd can cheer me to victory, says Carl
Carl Frampton will get a shot at the European title in just his 11th professional fight.
The Belfast super-bantamweight will take on champion Kiko Martinez of Spain as chief support to Paul McCloskey's world-title eliminator with Breidis Prescott on September 10th.
Martinez, who won the title for a third time when he stopped Jason Booth in 10 in April will start as favourite, but Frampton - who is managed by Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan - is confident he can give a capacity crowd at the Odyssey Arena something to cheer.
"I've wanted this fight for a long time and I believe 100 per cent that I will beat Kiko," he said.
"He's a dangerous fighter and a world-class one but I believe that I am a world-class fighter too and a massive hometown show is the perfect platform for me to prove it.
"It's going to be a great occasion and I'm so excited to be fighting at the Odyssey Arena.
"I'm sure it will be a sell-out and the support I'll get will push me even harder against a top=-quality opponent."
Martinez has won 25 of his 28 professional fights, 25 coming inside the distance, and already has one Irish scalp to his name after knocking out Bernard Dunne in the first round of their 2007 meeting in Dublin to become champion for the first time.
He went on to lose two European title fights to Rendall Munroe and also tasted defeat in an IBF eliminator against South Africa's Takalani Ndlovu before regaining the belt again last September with a convincing points win over Arsen Martirosyan.
Risks
Frampton, is the Celtic champion at super-bantamweight but is yet to box the full championship distance but McGuigan, who knows a thing or two about Belfast boxing nights, believes his young charge can step up and steal the Spaniard's title.
"There are risks attached to any fight you take but we're confident and convinced that Carl will beat Kiko," said McGuigan.
"Kiko is a world-class operator who can box, punch and take a shot and we've got great respect for him coming to Belfast to defend his title. He's fought in hostile territory before and come out on top, but I firmly believe that Carl will take his title.
"It's a massive occasion for Carl as a Belfast boy and it's going to be a fabulous night. You have two breathtaking big fights that are going to be great to watch so it's a hot ticket and everyone going will be in for a treat."
