Jamel 'Semper Fe' Herring v Carl 'The Jackal' Frampton Preview

Belfast born Carl Frampton (28-2-0 16KO) looks to become Ireland’s first ever three weight world champion when he takes on WBO super-featherweight champion Jamel Herring (22-2-0 10KO) this Saturday at The Retunda at Caesar’s Palace, Bluewaters, Dubai. The fight was scheduled to take place in February in London but had to be pushed back due to Frampton sustaining a hand injury.

‘The Jackal’ has vowed that he may retire if he loses this fight and would bring the curtain down on what has been an excellent career. If Frampton is successful and becomes the new WBO super-featherlight champion, he will no doubt be looking to defend the title in his beloved city of Belfast once COVID restrictions are finally lifted.

Since losing to Josh Warrington in that epic battle in 2018 and has only boxed twice since then, winning every round in a unanimous decision victory against Tyler McCreary and then most recently stopping Darren Traynor at York Hall in the 7th round. The upcoming bout with Jamel Herring will be his chance to prove he is still capable of mixing it at the top level. He faces a tricky southpaw who has the height and reach advantage over the Irishman and questions will certainly be asked of Frampton.

Jamel 'Semper Fi' Herring last fought in September 2019 and was victorious over the Puerto Rican, Jonathan Oquendo who was disqualified at the end of the 8th round due to repeated intentional headbutts. Jamel Herring will be looking to make his fourth successful title defence against Frampton after claiming the belt with a unanimous decision victory over Masayuki Ito in May 2019.

If victorious against the Irishman, it is looking likely that 'Semper Fi' will be fighting his mandatory, Shakur Stevenson in an all American bout later on in the year. The American has not won via a TKO/KO since 2018 so does not seem to carry huge power but does have an excellent boxing IQ. Jamel had a fairly successful amateur career but did box the likes of Josh Taylor, Jessie Vargas and Daniel Jacobs.

The bout on Saturday has many people split and even the bookmakers are struggling to split the two fighters. Herring and Frampton are coming to the latter end of their careers and whoever comes out victorious will be looking to have one or two more big paydays before hanging up the glove. The loser will have to ask himself whether he simply wants to continue and whether they still have the hunger and desire to dust themselves off and go again.

Fighter's Form (last 5 fights)

Jamel Herring

Jonathon Oqunedo - WIN by DQ 8th Round - 05/09/2020

Lamont Reach - WIN by UD - 09/11/2019

Masayuki Ito - WIN by UD - 25/05/2019

Adeilson Dos Santos - WIN by UD - 14/12/2018

John Vincent Moralde - WIN by UD - 14/09/2018

Carl Frampton

Darren Traynor - WIN by TKO 7th Round - 15/08/2020

Tyler McCreary - WIN by UD - 30/11/2019

Josh Warrington - LOST by UD - 22/12/2018

Luke Jackson - WIN by TKO 9th Round - 18/08/2018

Nonito Donaire - UD - 21/04/2018

Event Information

Date: Saturday 3rd April 2021

Time: 9pm

Venue: Caesars Palace, Dubai

Channel: TBC (UK) / ESPN (US)