It has been eleven years since Carl Frampton etched his name into the annals of Irish boxing, securing a 12-round victory over Kiko Martinez on September 6, 2014, to become a world champion.
The significance of this bout being a rematch was overshadowed by the thousands of devoted fans who defied the wet and windy weather on the Belfast docks, all eager to witness a historic moment. Frampton had previously outmaneuvered and decisively beaten Martinez approximately 18 months prior.
Their initial encounter was a fascinating battle of contrasting styles. Kiko Martinez arrived in Belfast proudly holding his European super-bantamweight title, only to lose it in a comprehensive knockout defeat to Frampton on a chilly February night at the Odyssey Arena.
During their first fight, Frampton was fighting under the Eddie Hearn banner and broadcast on Sky Sports, marking a distinct era. Barry McGuigan subsequently moved his promising fighter to become a top domestic headliner on Frank Warren`s BoxNation platform. The McGuigan team managed the promotional aspects, while Frampton concentrated solely on his boxing performance.
The return match was held in a specially built outdoor arena at the Titanic Slipways that September. Since his earlier defeat by Frampton, a rejuvenated Kiko had rebuilt his career with four consecutive stoppage victories and now arrived as a world champion.
Adding to the anticipation, Kiko was supported by his promoter and legendary Argentine southpaw, Sergio Martinez, who confidently predicted to the media that the smaller Spaniard would secure a knockout win.
To ensure Frampton’s potential achievement wasn`t undermined by the “we`ve already knocked him out” sentiment, Barry McGuigan cautioned that he anticipated a more challenging fight than their first meeting.
While a knockout didn`t materialize this time, the outcome was equally definitive. Frampton delivered a masterclass in boxing, sending Kiko to the canvas on his way to a unanimous decision victory before 16,000 enthusiastic fans gathered in the Titanic Quarter.
Frampton began with a potent jab, contrasting with Kiko`s more cautious approach compared to their initial encounter. Frampton`s superior footwork and command of the ring secured him the close rounds, even as Kiko focused on body shots. Despite his many strengths, Kiko’s career demonstrated he could be outboxed, and Carl Frampton proved himself perfectly capable of doing so.
The intensity escalated in round five when Carl landed a precise counter right hand towards the end of the round, sending a stunned and disoriented `La Sensacion` to the canvas. In retrospect, this fight stands as one of Frampton`s most disciplined performances, particularly considering the high stakes.
`The Jackal` effectively utilized the entire ring, moving laterally to confuse his opponent. Martinez appeared disheartened in his corner as Frampton steadily neutralized the champion`s offense.
Martinez was nearing complete neutralization. Bloodied and exhausted, he endured a final, elegant flurry of punches from Frampton in the 12th round. The crowd rose to its feet for the final bell, eager to cheer their hero to victory.
Referee Steve Gray later confirmed that he never seriously contemplated stopping the fight, citing Martinez’s extensive experience in championship bouts. The judges’ scorecards, reading 119-108, 119-108, and 118-111, unanimously declared Carl Frampton the new IBF super-bantamweight champion.
From ringside, a role the writer never particularly enjoyed for the Sunday Life newspaper, the bout was scored 118-110 for the new champion, aligning with the official judges’ consensus.
“We did it!” Barry McGuigan exclaimed with a laugh at the post-fight press conference. “I predicted a long time ago that he would be a world champion, and many people doubted me. We are absolutely thrilled. The night itself couldn’t have been more perfect, although the weather certainly could have improved. This event drew the largest boxing audience Northern Ireland has ever witnessed.”
The newly crowned champion arrived at the press conference in a Santa Claus suit, his face showing the clear signs of battle, yet his radiant smile shone through it all.
“What an incredible night. It hasn’t fully registered yet. My head and hands are still quite sore,” Carl Frampton remarked. “It was a challenging fight, but I am now world champion, and this has been a long time coming. I haven`t had a chance to fully process it, but I intend to keep this IBF belt for a considerable time. I feel relieved, as it was a tough contest, despite my consistent feeling of being in control.”
Discussions soon shifted to future opponents. Names like Abner Mares and Leo Santa Cruz were brought up, but Frampton himself expressed a desire to fight Scott Quigg. Mandatory challenger Chris Avalos was also a potential contender.
Although Carl had a 90-day grace period to defend his title against Avalos, who had recently partnered with Eddie Hearn, reports of Avalos suffering a hand injury proved accurate. Frampton would go on to defeat the spirited American in five rounds the following February.
The Atmosphere, by Steven Beacom
Steven Beacom captured the post-fight atmosphere in the Belfast Telegraph on the Monday following Frampton’s triumph:
“On Saturday evening, the Lagan lookout bridge experienced an unprecedented surge of thousands of excited fans trekking from Belfast city centre towards the Titanic slipways. Some opted to walk, wisely avoiding the struggle for parking spaces (especially after 8 pm), while others had been enjoying nearby establishments.
“The atmosphere reached a fever pitch as `Sweet Caroline` had spectators bouncing in the stands, with Frampton’s entrance just moments away, shortly after 10:30 PM.”
Oliver Croft