Jackal: Valdez could come to Windsor, but I’m staying focused

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Frampton continued: “It makes financial sense for the fight to happen here. I know because he is the champion it will be difficult to get him away from the States but I think he is a brave guy and would come.

“But all the talk about world title fights and Windsor Park doesn’t mean anything unless I beat Donaire so not one bit am I looking past him because I know how good a fighter he is.”

The 31-year-old former world champion has meticulously prepared for his duel with Donaire, though admits that he has not had to do too much homework on his legendary rival.

“Potentially I could have fought for a world title without fighting Donaire but beating someone like him will help me take another world title,” said the Jackal. “People are asking me, ‘Am I studying him a lot? Am I watching a lot of his fights?’

“To be honest I’m not, because I grew up watching him. I grew up being a fan of his. I know how he fights; I know what he does.

“I’ve believed from the start that I would beat him, when Donaire was mentioned as a possible opponent for me.

“We’ve talked about fighting each other for a long time, even at super-bantamweight, but nothing really came of it.

“Now it’s happening and I can’t wait because I feel in great shape.”

Meanwhile, Saturday night’s bill suffered a blow when Jono Carroll had to withdraw from his highly-anticipated super-featherweight clash with Belfast man Marc McCullough.

Popular McCullough is now expected to have a six-rounder with the fight to be held at a later date.