IT was a freezing September night in Belfast.
I specifically remember that because we had all expected a nice late summer’s evening for the occasion, after all that’s what happens when the kids go back to school, isn’t it?
But on the Titanic slipway, under the shadow of the Harland and Wolff cranes, I was physically shaking, not with nerves (although they were there) but I had never felt cold like it.
I looked around to see a few girls scantily clad, but before I had time to question their sanity I realised they were the ring girls.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, I am talking about Saturday, September 6, 2014 when a purpose built arena, beside Belfast’s famous shipyard, hosted 16,000 people who came to witness what turned out to be history.
Carl Frampton is one of our most successful sportsmen of all time but this was the night that changed his life forever as he became World Champion for the first time.
Carl with his children Carla, Rossa and Mila at his special night in the Europa
Frampton had already defeated Spain’s Kiko Martinez the year before for the European belt in the nearby Odyssey Arena but this time it was in front of double the crowd for a much greater reward.
The pressure was huge, the occasion the biggest he had been involved in to date and the atmosphere was electric even though some feared that would be lost in the outdoor setting,
Frampton went on to become a two weight World Champion over his 11 years as a professional, in doing so becoming the first boxer from Northern Ireland to hold world titles in two different weights.
He retired in 2021 but still remains one of the most popular sportspeople of our generation, thanks to his likeable nature and his ability to bring everyone together from all walks of life.
A couple of weeks ago Frampton held a charity dinner in the Europa hotel to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the important milestone in his career.
He used to sell out arenas with his fights, and it was clear to see he still has that same draw as he sold out the night, three years after retiring.
While every athlete who reaches the top of their sport has to be selfish to a certain degree, Frampton always thought of others.
Having had the privilege of reporting on his career for UTV over those 11 years I saw this first hand on many occasions.
Arriving at the hotel in Manchester for his World title showdown with Scott Quigg the first thing he asked the lady on reception, before he even checked in, was if she could recommend a hairdresser for his wife, Christine, for Saturday night just before the fight.
In New York, the day before his World Title fight with Leo Santa Cruz, he told me and others that he had arranged for us to be put in better seats for the fight because we had been originally further back.
When his fight in Belfast against Andres Gutierrez was called off 24 hours beforehand because of that infamous fall in the shower incident, I overheard a devastated Frampton telling his promoter he wanted to give Gutierrez money because he wouldn’t be getting his purse anymore and I know he paid out money to the undercard fighters as well because no one was getting paid with the whole bill pulled.
These examples are just scratching the surface… when it comes to charity Frampton has always dug deep.
He has always used his platform to try and help and continues to do so.
He retired during the Covid pandemic so his desire to put an event on for charity was postponed. He felt the 10 year anniversary of his world title fight with Kiko would be the perfect time to do it. And what a night he put on.
Unbeknown to anyone, he had invited Kiko over to make a guest appearance. The fact he made the trip from his home in Spain just for the night to help celebrate a fight he lost says everything. The bond between those fighters is very special compared to any others Frampton fought in his career. The first time they met in the build up to the European title fight, Kiko was making all sorts of gestures that he was going to kill Frampton. Fast forward 11 years and the two were embracing each other with love and respect on stage at the Europa Hotel in front of many of the same people who were at that original press conference.
The first thing Carl did after the fight on September 6, 2014 was go to Kiko’s dressing room to thank him for the fight. He got a picture and the two faces were battered, bruised and bloodied (above). Kiko also let Carl keep his belt for a while after the fight for all the pictures and commitments he had until Carl’s newly made one arrived. And shortly after that Kiko wrote Carl a nice letter. Carl writes in his autobiography of the respect he has for Kiko and it was very clear a couple of weeks ago that that will always be there.
The hugely successful night included an auction and raised in the region of £40K for charity. Mental health charities were the main beneficiaries, along with food banks, local anti drug charities and his own boxing club, Midland ABC in Belfast, which also looks after a pensioners home beside it so they will also see some of the cash.
The calibre of people there also spoke volumes of how highly Frampton is regarded by his peers, including Lady Mary Peters, Jackie Fullerton, Ryan Burnett, Steve Davis, Stuart Dallas, David Healy, Stephen Ferris, Jonathan Rea, Gerry Armstrong, Conor Meyler, Steve Bunce, Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis, all in attendance. (I am bound to have missed someone that I didn’t see!)
It was a honour to be involved in hosting the Q&A to relieve that unforgettable night 10 years ago, Carl’s honesty and humility shone through and the night ended with a rendition of Sweet Caroline to a video of Carl’s career.
Frampton’s heart was always big in the ring but when it comes to helping those less fortunate than himself it’s even bigger.
Ruth with Christine Frampton and friends at Europa charity dinner
Carl and Kiko auctioning a replica IBF world title belt just like the one Carl won on September 6, 2014
