Unbeaten commonwealth super bantamweight champion Carl “The Jackel” Frampton (15-0, 10Kos) defended his title Saturday night with the biggest win of his career against; beating former two-time world champion Steve “The Canadian Kid” Molitor (32-3, 12Ko’s).
On the night of his biggest challenge to date, “The Jackel” would not be denied as he outworked and out grinded the slick southpaw, stopping him in the sixth round at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Molitor, 32, traveled across the pond for what he thought was a good safe tune up fight against a green opponent.
Frampton, 25, would have none of that. He put smart pressure on his foe all evening, and showed good power backing up the Canadian.
Molitor could do little to discourage Frampton from charging in the front door. It was apparent from round one that Molitor could not get Frampton’s attention with his punches, from then Molitor went into full scale retreat.
He was put on the canvas in third and fourth rounds. He survived but would be knocked down again in the sixth round and the bout was stopped at 2:21 into the round.
With the victory Frampton truly showed he a world class fighter and ready to face the best in a talented 122-pound division. A Frampton victory seemed unlikely going into fight night; his team could not have asked for more than this.
You would have to think an emphatic victory like this puts Frampton right in the running for a world title shot.
Molitor is now 32 and it appears his recent 10-month layoff took more out of him than he anticipated. He had a great career that included 10 world title fights and 2 world title reigns, not too bad for a skinny Canadian kid.
Molitor made it clear if he could not beat Frampton it was time to hang up the gloves. If it is time for Molitor to retire, he can do so in a proud manor as he has conducted himself as a champion, and was a great ambassador for the sport in Canada throughout his impressive career.
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