Boxing News Boxing News
Belfast’s burgeoning boxing hero Carl Frampton lit up that city’s Odyssey Arena last night by wiping out visiting Frenchman Jeremy Parodi in front of almost 9,000 adoring fans.
At stake were Frampton’s European and IBF Intercontinental super bantam belts, but the real prize for the winner is a shot at the IBF title next year, currently held by former Frampton victim Kiko Martinez, who faces challenger Jeffrey Mathebula in December.
Parodi brought seven straight victories to the table and had previously won both the French and IBF International crowns. The Toulon based stylist was expected to give Frampton difficulty using movement and an effective jab.
The visitor kept distance from the Ulsterman in the early rounds but seemed genuinely affected by his first appearance outside of France and was unable to prevent Frampton from landing meaty left hooks.
By the third, Parodi woke up and was successful with the jab but then made the mistake of shelling up in front of Frampton, who took the opportunity to land spearing shots to the body.
This approach led to Parodi’s downfall as he was now unable to move away and with very little punching power, could not keep Frampton off.
As the founds wore on it became target practice for Frampton as the local man scored with punishing results to the head and body before a perfect left hook to the ribs put Parodi on a knee, where he was counted out at 2:59 on the sixth.
Frampton improves to 17-0 (12), while Parodi falls to 35-2-1 (9).
The 26 year old “Jackal” is now in line to face the winner of Martinez vs. Mathebula for the IBF title, and Frampton would be the favorite should he face Martinez, whom he KO’d in February of this year.
If it is former IBF champ Mathebula, who will likely unseat Martinez, that Frampton meets, the Irishman will face a far tougher test as the towering and awkward South African has a good deal of world class experience.
Chief support at the Odyssey Arena was provided by a middleweight clash between Irish champ Eamonn O’Kane, 11-1 (3), and former European title holder Kerry Hope, 19-6 (1), as O’Kane posted a 118-111, 116-112 and 114-113 UD to capture the vacant IBF Intercontinental strap.
