Frampton U.S. Debut Draws Big Ratings In N. Ireland

By Terence Dooley

 

IBF Super bantamweight titlist Carl Frampton’s seesaw battle with Alejandro Gonzalez in El Paso, Texas on Saturday night was a hit with fans on site and also drew in a lot of TV viewers in his native Northern Ireland.  

The Belfast boxer (21-0, 14 early) was floored twice in the first round before coming back to secure a decision win, and the showdown was a ratings winner for UTV (formerly Ulster Television).

 

Frampton's fight out-performed popular British soap opera Coronation Street—Frampton versus Gonzalez (now 25-2-2, 15 KOs) was the most popular programme in Northern Ireland, bringing together two thirds of the viewing public.

 

“The Frampton fight attracted an average audience of 292,000 and a share of 54 per cent,” stated UTV Managing Director Michael Wilson when confirming the figures to the Belfast Telegraph.  “With a peak audience of 381,000 viewers and share of 69 per cent it meant two thirds of viewers in Northern Ireland were tuned in to UTV to watch.”

 

Frampton is mulling over a move up to featherweight, which would nix a potential meeting with WBA World counterpart Scott Quigg, who hammered common foe Kiko Martinez on Saturday night (KO 2).  

Despite struggling early on, or maybe because of it, "The Jackal" received positive reviews Stateside and with Al Haymon advising alongside long-term mentor Barry McGuigan there are options aplenty for the 28-year-old should he decide to move up a division.