QUB Honours Carl Frampton

Belfast-born boxer Carl Frampton MBE has been awarded an honorary degree from Queen's University.

Originally from north Belfast, 'the Jackal' has held the World Boxing Organization interim featherweight title since April 2018. He is a former world champion in two weight classes, having held the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight titles between 2014 and 2016, and the World Boxing Association (Super) featherweight title from 2016 to 2017. He became the first boxer from Northern Ireland and only the second boxer from Ireland to have held world titles in two weight classes, earning him a reputation as one of the top boxers in the world.

Frampton received the accolade on Saturday 29 June along with Professor Julie Chen, the Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the boxer said: "I am delighted to accept this honorary degree from Queen's University in my hometown of Belfast. This award means so much to me, and I am so pleased to be here to share in this day with so many other students graduating from the University."

Professor Julie Chen received a Doctor of Science (DSc Eng) for Distinction in engineering. She commented: "I feel privileged to receive this honorary degree from Queen's University Belfast. UMass Lowell and Queen's have enjoyed an excellent relationship for many years and share the same vision. I look forward to continuing this great relationship and working together on future collaborations."

Carl Frampton and Professor Julie Chen are among fourteen individuals who will receive honorary degrees this summer. Other individuals to be awarded include internationally renowned researchers as well as leaders in business and commerce.



(JG/CM)