Express & Star

Josh Aston could spar Carl Frampton

Dudley's Haringey Box Cup winner Josh Aston could find himself sharing the ring with a reigning Commonwealth champion after his success in London.

Published

Dudley's Haringey Box Cup winner Josh Aston could find himself sharing the ring with a reigning Commonwealth champion after his success in London.

The 19-year-old's trainer at Priory Park ABC, Paul Gough, is trying to arrange sparring for the teen with super bantamweight boss Carl Frampton.

Gough has contacted Frampton's manager, former world champion Barry McGuigan, about bringing the Northern Irishman to the Black Country.

Aston wowed in front of the BoxNation cameras last Sunday to take his club's only title under the bright lights of the Alexandra Theatre.

Now the bantamweight - cousin of pro Ryan - could get some top-class sparring before his next amateur competition, the ABA Novices.

Gough said: "Barry told me that, when he's local to us, he will get in touch so that Josh can spar with Carl Frampton.

"To share a ring with Carl would be a great experience for Josh, it's a completely different ball game with him.

"I fully intend for that to happen before Josh goes back into competition later this year."

Aston will believe he has unfinished business in the Novices after missing a spot in the national final by a point last December.

But, before Frampton and his next mission, the teen will be not allowed to box at all as part of a gruelling fitness programme.

It's hoped it will make the fighter - who has 15 wins from 18 contests - all the more stronger when he returns to action.

Gough said: "I want to build him up to better suit his fighting style and get him ready for the new season but it's not bulking up, as such.

"I still want him at 54kg but with more muscle and having burned off more body fat, everything will be heavy lifting.

"It will be power, stability and core stablisation drills, offset training, we won't have him running or boxing at all.

"He will then go back into the Novices before the senior ABAs next year."

Ryan Aston turned pro last year and goes for his first title next week, the Midlands middleweight crown.

Gough admits Josh's style is "probably more suited" to the paid ranks but won't be rushing the amateur along.

The coach said: "Until he matures, he will stay in the amateurs, but his aggressive and come forward style is probably more suited to the pros.

"He's got a great engine, he just keeps going all day, you just can't wear him out."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.