Ex-Champ Molitor Steps In To Face Frampton In Belfast

Matchroom Sport in association with Orion Sport can announce that Steve Molitor has replaced Kiko Martinez for Betfair’s Judgement Day fight night at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on Saturday September 22, live on Sky Sports.

The two-time World super bantamweight champion takes the place of the injured Spaniard and will challenge the Belfast star for his Commonwealth and IBF International titles on a bumper night of action in Frampton’s hometown.

Molitor first held the IBF belt in 2006 after beating Michael Hunter in the UK and successfully defended it five times before regaining it in 2010. The 32 year old has fought four times in the UK, with wins over Hunter, John Mackay, Nicky Booth and Jason Booth and he has promised an explosive night when he crosses the Atlantic to lock horns with Frampton.

“I love fighting across the pond,” said Molitor. “I’m four for four over there and plan on retaining that perfect record. I am excited about fighting Frampton. Although he is not a household name amongst the rest in my division, he is recognised as a future star.

“Scott Quigg, Kid Galahad, and Carl are all names that are trying to make a name for themselves in the 122lb division, but unfortunately none of them will be making it off the Molitor name.

“Although I am coming in off of Martinez stepping out, I have been training like a mad man for several months. I am not hungry, I am starving. Mr. Eddie Hearn, Mr. Barry McGuigan and Mr. Frampton, you have all the respect in the world from me.

“Stepping up against me as a two time IBF Champion of the World takes balls. I’d like to thank the Irish public in advance for coming out to the show and I have to tell them: Don’t blink, you’re going to love the fireworks!”

Frampton’s manager Barry McGuigan welcomed the news that Molitor stepped in for the fight and believes that the Canadian could be an even more dangerous proposition for his hot prospect.

“Steve has boxed at a higher level than Kiko so this is a much tougher fight for Carl – but the kind of fight we want him to be in,” said McGuigan. “We could’ve looked further down the list of opponents and taken an easier fight but Carl wants to operate at World level and Molitor is certainly there.

“Most importantly we’ve replaced one great fight with another so the Belfast fans are still going to see an incredible night of boxing topped by a brilliant main event – one that is possibly even more exciting that the Martinez fight and that’s what the fans deserve to see, Carl fighting a World class operator.

Frampton and Molitor top a stacked bill on September 22 with Martin Lindsay challenging Lee Selby for the British and Commonwealth featherweight titles. Paul McCloskey is aiming to get back on track after his defeat to DeMarcus Corley in May, Eamonn O’Kane won the Betfair all-Irish Prizefighter tournament on the same bill in Belfast that night and he features on the card as do unbeaten Belfast prospects Jamie Conlan and Dee Walsh. Team GB stars Scotty Cardle, Kal Yafai and Martin Ward all continue their pro education in Belfast.

Tickets are on sale from the Odyssey Arena box office on 028 9073 9074 and at www.odysseyarena.com
– tickets are priced at £30, £40, £60 and £100.

Ringside VIPs tickets priced at £150 are exclusively available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com