IBF believe Carl Frampton will defend his title

Rumours about a clash between Frampton and WBA featherweight king Leo Santa Cruz has been rife in recent weeks but the IBF still believe that ‘The Jackal’ will defend his IBF World title in his next outing.

“We have not been officially informed of Carl Frampton’s decision. As far as we know, he will do the IBF mandatory,” IBF Chairman Lindsey Tucker exclusively told World Boxing News on Saturday.

Number one-ranked Shingo Wake is the opponent Frampton has to face next unless he decides to give up the title to pursue that massive Santa Cruz fight in America.

Should ‘The Jackal’ leave the red belt behind, as expected, Mexican Rey Vargas would then be offered the opportunity to fight Wake for the vacant strap.

“Under IBF Rules, if the title is vacant, we order the two highest ranked available contenders to fight for the title (Wake and Vargas),” said Tucker.

Meanwhile Eamonn O’Kane’s camp would love a scrap with fellow Irish middleweight Gary ‘Spike’ Fitzpatrick.

‘King Khan’ is now on the search of his next opponent and his trainerc Paddy Fitzpatrick thinks a future fight wuith O’Sullivan is a strong possibility.

“Eamonn is rested and looking for trouble. He is back in training and we’re looking to make something happen. He needed a long rest after the last fight. It was a brutal fight,” said Fitzpatrick.

“Spike is a fight we’re looking at. We’d love to do that fight, Eddie Hearn has text me to say he’d love to do it too but it’s probably one we’re looking at more towards September,” he added.