Carl Frampton: Kiko has hatred towards me

By Boxing News - 09/01/2014 - Comments

frampton80By Scott Gilfoid: #2 IBF Carl Frampton is under the impression that the hard hitting IBF super bantamweight champion Kiko Martinez hates him for some reason. The two fighters will be facing each other this Saturday night in a rematch at the Titanic Quarter, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Frampton thinks that Martinez hates him by the way he’s looking at him rather than anything he’s said.

Frampton defeated Kiko last year in February by a 9th round stoppage. Martinez had been giving Frampton all kinds of problems in the fight with his huge power, forcing Frampton to run around the ring to avoid getting knocked out.

Just when things were starting to look bleak for Frampton, he landed a lucky shot to score a stoppage. It was one of those rare shots where you catch a guy when he least suspects it and you score a knockout. Had Frampton not landed that punch, I believe that Martinez would have gotten to him and knocked his lights out.

Despite being knocked out, Martinez has done more with his career lately than Frampton. Martinez captured the IBF title in 2013 in defeating Jhonatan Romero by a 6th round TKO. Martinez followed up that impressive victory with two successful title defenses against Jeffrey Mathebula and Hozumi Hasegawa.

While Martinez has been accomplishing big things, Frampton has been taking it easy beating Jeremy Parodi and 37-year-old Hugo Cazares. The difference in the fights that Martinez has taken and the ones that Frampton has taken are light night and day.

“He has genuine hatred for me,” Frampton said about Martinez to BBC.com. “I don’t hate him, but I wouldn’t say we’re best of friends. You can see it in his eyes, because I’m the only guy to knock him out. He’s very emotional and that’s what makes him dangerous. It’s a bit of an understatement to say I’m looking forward to it. Getting a world title fight at home, at such an historic venue, a stadium being built for me, it’s what dreams are made of.”

I think Frampton is focusing on useless things. I mean, what does he expect Martinez to do. This is his opponent, and he’s not going to be giving him smiles and pouring praise over his head so that he feels comfortable in the fight. If it bothers Frampton so much that he’s not seeing friendliness in the eyes of Martinez, then why didn’t he fight someone else?

Frampton could have always taken on the best fighter in the division in WBA/WBO super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux. I’m sure Rigondeaux would be smiling from ear to ear once Frampton puts his name on that contract. Rigondeaux might even smile right up until the moment he gets in the ring with him, but after that it’s going to be pure business for Rigondeaux.

I get the feeling that Frampton is over confident right now. I believe he’s drunk on his past success, and it’s gotten to the point where he’s acting like he can automatically beat Martinez against just by showing up. I have a feeling we’re going to see Frampton taste defeat for the first time on Saturday night with him getting battered and beaten in front of his own fans.



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