Lightweight boxing star Billy Morgan has been sparring with Super Bantamweight IBF Champion Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton in Battersea, London.

Boxing legend Barry McGuigan and son Shane invited the Eastender to take part in an eight round technical sparring session with their fighter in preparation for their separate ring battles ahead of next weekend’s show at Wembley Arena.

Both camps were very pleased with the way the sparring sessions went especially young Morgan, 23.

“It went really well, Carl’s got tonnes of experience and I felt I mixed in with him very well. My trainer, Mark Tibbs was pleased with my performance and Carl, Barry and Shane were all impressed. I must have done something right as they have asked me back for more sparring.”

There is a slight size advantage for Morgan over Frampton, currently boxing in different weight classes but there were benefits to the sparring for both fighters to gain. Still very young and under ten fights, the unbeaten Canning Town star possesses an exceptional technique with a natural skill and aptitude.

“I felt I mixed it up well with shots to the body and head. Carl said he was very impressed with my jab so that was a big positive to have a fighter of Carl’s calibre to notice my technical boxing. All in all, it was a great experience sparring a future world champion and I learned so much from Carl that I cannot wait to go back and mix in with him again.”

Accompanied to South London by his trainer, Mark Tibbs from TKO Gym in Canning Town also commented on the day’s events.

“The sparring was eight rounds of competitive technical boxing and was tough at times but was the most valuable of his sparring to date. I was a little apprehensive when I got the call from Shane McGuigan but I weighed up Bill’s latest improvements and confidence levels and decided to let him go and, not to my surprise, he come through brilliantly and showed class and ring craft.”

Billy has been incredibly active ahead of the next fight and mentioned just a few other boxers that he has sparred with lately.

“I’ve also been sparring with Joey Taylor who’s also fighting on the 20th, Tommy Martin who fights the week after, Eddie Hussein and Dan Naylor.”

Tibbs, a former pro from West Ham, has also been very busy in recent weeks with preparing his stable of fighters for action.

“I just came back from Wales with Frank Buglioni and Tom Baker sparring with Nathan Cleverly, all in all it’s been a great couple of weeks of education and now we are ready for next Saturday.”

Frampton from Belfast, currently 16 fights undefeated will not be defending his IBF Inter-Continental title against Argentinian Fabian Orozco at Wembley Arena on 20th July as originally planned after Orozco was knocked in his last fight just days ago and can no longer compete for 30 days under strict professional rules.

Fighting for the IBF Latino title in Santa Fe, Agentina, southpaw Julian Evaristo Aristule (23-4) stopped Orozco (20-3-2). A frustrated Frampton said,

“They should not have taken the fight before he was supposed to fight me at Wembley. He is now out of the fight and we will have to find someone else.”

Despite the annoyance another opponent has been named as Everth Briceno (35-8-2). The 35 year old Argentinian has 26 KO’s on his record and has previously fought for the WBO Super Flyweight Title.

“My training, sparring and preparation has gone well and I will be ready to go on 20th July. I am looking forward to it and I can’t wait to get in there as my last fight was back in February, when I defeated Kiko Martinez at the Odyssey.” Said Frampton.

Behind Enemy Lines will be live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).