Steve Molitor has stepped in
to face Belfast's unbeaten Carl Frampton next month after Kiko
Martinez due to injury.
Molitor, from Canada, is a
two-time world champion.
He 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."
17/08/2012 00:05:12