Carl Frampton seemingly is the bigger puncher, but Josh Warrington was the bigger fighter Friday when they stood face-to-face.
The 5-feet-7 Warrington appeared to stand about two inches taller than Frampton once they weighed in for their 12-round, 126-pound title fight Saturday night in Manchester, England. The featherweights were essentially the same amount when they stepped on the British Boxing Board of Control scale, with Warrington weighing slightly less (125¾ pounds) than Frampton (126 pounds).
The 31-year-old Frampton (26-1, 15 KOs) will challenge the 28-year-old Warrington (27-0, 6 KOs) for the IBF featherweight championship Warrington won from Lee Selby in his last fight. Warrington edged Wales’ Selby (26-2, 9 KOs) by split decision in their 12-rounder May 19 in Leeds, England, Warrington’s hometown.
Frampton, a former featherweight and super bantamweight champ, will try to extend his winning streak to four fights. He has beaten Horacio Garcia and Nonito Donaire by unanimous decision and Luke Jackson by technical knockout since Leo Santa Cruz defeated him by majority decision in their immediate rematch nearly two years ago in Las Vegas.
Odds-makers favor Frampton (-200/+180), even though Warrington is the defending champion.
“It doesn’t bother me whatsoever,” Warrington told BT Sport after the weigh-in. “Because after Saturday night, you know, I’ll win a lot more fans over. Then people can’t argue once I beat Lee Selby and Carl Frampton in the same year, and people start recognizing what I’m really about.
“So yeah, I get a few rows here and on Saturday night all them cheering for me will be cheering louder, and those that were booing me will be silent.”
The Warrington-Frampton card will be streamed live in the United States by ESPN+, beginning at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Warrington-Frampton will be the main event of a BT Sport Box Office pay-per-view event in the United Kingdom (£19.95; 6 p.m. GMT).
“Listen, they can expect a lively 12-round contest,” Warrington said. “It’s gonna be exciting. I’d just like to say those who’ve come out today to support meself, I look forward to it. Those who are supporting Carl, enjoy it while it lasts. And tomorrow we go to war. ‘And still!’ Let’s have it.”
–boxingscene
