• Carl Frampton v Kiko Martinez

Martinez will be wild and dangerous, says Frampton

ESPN staff
September 1, 2014
Carl Frampton, right, says that Kiko Martinez has "genuine hatred" for him ahead of their fight in Belfast © Getty Images
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Carl Frampton expects Kiko Martinez to be "wild and dangerous" when they fight for the IBF super-bantamweight title in Belfast on Saturday.

Local favourite Frampton knocked out Martinez last February but the Spaniard went on to claim the world title in August.

Frampton, who is challenging for the title, says the pair have unfinished business.

"He has a genuine hatred for me. I don't hate him, but I wouldn't say we're best friends," Frampton said. "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, he lets situations get to him. He's a hot-head, he can be very easily agitated but he's coming to win."

Saturday's fight will be hosted in a purpose-built, 16,000 capacity arena in Belfast's Titanic Quarter and is set to attract the biggest ever crowd for a boxing match in Northern Ireland.

If Frampton wins, he will become Northern Ireland's first world champion since Wayne McCullough in 1996.

"If I remain cool and stick to the game-plan, there's only one winner in this fight," said Frampton, who hails from the Tiger's Bay area of north Belfast.

"After Kiko, there are a few guys to be taken care of in the super-bantamweight division.

"I'd be telling a lie if I said I didn't want to finish all that rubbish with Scott Quigg once and for all. People still think he's better than me. I don't know why."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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