Carl Frampton ready to make history in Dubai as three-weight world champion

Northern Irishman takes on WBO super-featherweight title holder Jamel Herring on Saturday

Carl Frampton after his win over Scott Quigg in their IBF/WBA super-bantamweight unification bout in February 2016. PA

Carl Frampton has said he is determined to write himself into Irish boxing's history books when he faces Jamel Herring in a super-featherweight world title fight in Dubai on Saturday.

Herring (22-2, 10 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO title at Caesars Palace and a win for Frampton would make him Northern Ireland's first ever three-weight world champion. Frampton (28-2, 16 KOs) has previously held world titles at super-bantamweight and featherweight but has not been a world champion since losing his WBA (Super) featherweight title to Leo Santa Cruz in January 2017.

This fight was initially scheduled to take place in Belfast, Frampton’s home city, last summer, before the pandemic forced its cancellation. Herring then fell ill with Covid and the fights was most recently pushed back from last month in London because Frampton had a hand injury.

"The fight is finally here. I am absolutely delighted that it is as it's been a fight that has been talked about for well over a year," Frampton said.

"It's a huge fight and gives me the chance to become the island of Ireland's only ever three-weight world champion, and one of the only ever Brits to do it. I've done it the hard way too, as I have beaten champions to win all my world titles."

Saturday's bout looks set to be an intriguing match-up. Frampton represents a step up in class compared to Herring's previous opponents, although the American will have the size advantage. Herring has operated as a light-welterweight, while Frampton has competed for most of his career as a super-bantamweight, four divisions below, and the Northern Irishman is expecting a tough challenge against the champion.

"I have a lot of respect for Jamel Herring, as a man and as a fighter, but I have full confidence in myself that I will beat this guy," Frampton said. "You're always confident in every fight, but I feel this is meant to be and meant to happen. I will not let him take it off me.

"I will do whatever it takes to get my hand raised at the end of the fight. Jamel will be well up for this, but I am too, and I cannot wait to make history."