Who’s next?
Carl Frampton got through his first title defence brilliantly tonight in Belfast with a fifth round stoppage to keep the IBF super bantamweight belt where it belongs.
Fighting in his home town at an electric Odyssey Arena, Frampton saw off Chris Avalos to make it 20 consecutive wins in an unblemished professional career.
It was also the perfect birthday present for manager Barry McGuigan who celebrates turning 54 today.
But the American opponent was no mug either and came boasting an impressive 25-win record in 27 fights.
Round 1
Both fighters felt their way into the fight with a first round that showed respect to one another’s talents but Avalos was warned twice in the opener for striking on the break.
Frampton took the round after keeping his composure in a couple of skirmishes to catch his opponent with a few hefty right hands.
Round 2
The referee let the pair box on the inside more in the second round and it gave the American fighter more impetus to work a couple of body shots but the Belfast boy was largely still on top, offering much more variation with his combinations.
Then, he exploded. Frampton went at Avalos manically, pinning him to the ropes and swinging with the home crowd roar as the contender looked hurt. Avalos was complaining about a shoulder injury but the ref had waved to fight away and Carl took no mercy on his opposite number who had no excuse to turn his back mid-fight.
Round 3
The two went toe-to-toe in the middle of the ring at the start of the third but, even as Avalos looked to get inside and work on his strengths, Frampton controlled each scenario. Hammering the hammer, if you will.
A strong left jab caught the American’s chin to bring the rapturous fans to their feet and, as the title-chaser complained about his arm or shoulder injury again, he was met with a chorus of boos from the crowd who were having none of it.
Round 4
Even with a shorter reach, Frampton’s jabs were way more successful than Avalos’ who was looking like he was running out of ideas and blood began to appear on his mouth as a couple of lazy air shots showed he was tiring.
Right on the bell, the Belfast man landed another stinging jab to his opponent’s jaw.
Round 5
Frampton decided enough was enough in the fifth. He caught Avalos with a huge right, he smelled blood and he just went at him again and again until he put him to the floor.
Avalos was draining energy as the champion relentlessly came back for more looking for another knockdown and, eventually the referee stepped in to confirm Frampton’s defence and that his title was still in tact.
Onto the next one.
