CARL Frampton has begun training for his Windsor Park spectacular on August 18, but coach Jamie Moore admits ‘the Jackal’ has yet to finalise his opponent.
Frampton will realise his childhood dream by appearing at the home of the Northern Ireland soccer team and, ideally, he wants to reclaim the world title in the summer show.
But recent results – particularly John Warrington’s win over Lee Selby – haven’t gone his way and Moore admits that he is still awaiting confirmation of who the man in the opposite corner will be.
“We’re still waiting,” he said.
“It’s all looking good for August the 18th, but we’re just waiting on the opponent. We’re aiming for a world title fight, so fingers crossed.”
After a clear-cut, but demanding, 12-round points win over Selby, new IBF champion Warrington is in no position to fight at Windsor, while WBA belt holder Leo Santa Cruz, who meets Abner Mares in June, won’t travel and WBC king Gary Russell jnr isn’t in the frame.
Frampton’s impressive win over Nonito Donaire saw him elevated to WBO interim champion but he could be promoted to outright champion status if Oscar Valdez is unable to box again this year. If that happens he will defend the belt at Windsor and LA-based Mexican Valdez may not be to return after he had his jaw fractured in March when beating former Frampton foe Scott Quigg.
The one-time Michael Conlan stablemate at Manny Robles’ Rock Gym had his jaw wired and, although the wire has since been removed and he is able to eat solid food again, he is still receiving medical attention.
Manager Frank Espinoza says the doctor will have the final say on whether Valdez fights again this year.
“It's solely up to the doctor’s discretion,” Espinoza told boxingscene.com.
“He's had 36 hard, tough rounds (since April last year) and now, after suffering a serious injury to his jaw, I have a responsibility to my client to do what's right for him and his long-term future.
“He's the type of guy that will literally fight anybody - as he showed back in March - and there will be plenty of time to make the big fights in the featherweight division but for the time being we will take the appropriate fights to bring Oscar back.”
