Barry McGuigan: Carl Frampton deserves world title fight

Barry McGuigan is impatient for a world title shot for protégé Carl Frampton but feels it is "in touching distance".

The man Frampton stopped in February, Kiko Martinez, won a global belt last month when he beat Jonathan Romero, the IBF super bantamweight champion.

"That shows how crazy boxing can be," said McGuigan, Frampton's manager.

"We are frustrated by it, but also buoyed by the fact that if Martinez can win the world title, we are convinced Frampton will do the same."

Before that, European champion Frampton must see off Frenchman Jeremy Parodi in what has been billed as an IBF world title eliminator at his home city Belfast's Odyssey Arena on 19 October.

"We believe we are in touching distance of a world title shot, but nothing happens unless we get past Parodi," added McGuigan.

"Carl has got to win that fight and look impressive in doing so."

The undercard of the Frampton bill will see Belfast super-flyweight Jamie Conlan take on Hassan Azaouagh in a European title contest.

Irish middleweight champion Eamonn O'Kane from Dungiven also takes on former European champion Kerry Hope from Wales with a Celtic belt at stake.