FRAMPTON TITLE TILT DRIVEN BY DOUBTERS
SOME 200 miles north of the heavyweight handbags in London, the atmosphere is bubbling ahead of another dust-up that offers both Carl Frampton and Josh Warrington the chance of silence at last. Tonight at the Manchester Arena, Northern Ireland’s Frampton will challenge Leeds’ Warrington for the IBF world featherweight title. This meeting on neutral turf is unfamiliar territory for two fighters used to enjoying loyal home support. At yesterday’s weigh-in Frampton (8st 13lbs 14oz) came in heavier by 5oz. Words were shared and so was a handshake. There is mutual respect, but also steely determination. This is Warrington’s chance to cap a fine 2018 with his finest win — and to again prove wrong those who fancy him to come unstuck at the highest level. For Frampton, victory would bring another world title but also the opportunity to end suggestions that, at 31, he has had his time. Warrington isn’t fazed. ‘It doesn’t bother me whatsoever,’ he said of his critics. ‘Once I’ve beaten Lee Selby and Carl Frampton in the same year people will start to recognise what I’m really about.’ Frampton said he always the utmost confidence he would get to fight on the world stage again after experiencing frustration both in and out of the ring over the last couple of years. The Belfast man had wrenched the WBA featherweight crown from Leo Santa Cruz in July 2016 but surrendered his title to Santa Cruz six months later, a proposed homecoming against Andres Gutierrez was cancelled at the 11th hour because of an injury to the Mexican and he split with his trainer and promoter. Now coached by Jamie Moore and with three wins under his belt since losing for the only time as a professional in the rematch to Santa Cruz, the doubters are fuelling The Jackal’s fire. ‘I’ve been written off so many times and I just want to prove that’s a lot of bulls***,’ the former two-weight world champion said. ‘I’m enjoying my life and my boxing more than I ever have... I’m only going to get better.’ He added: ‘I’m the best-supported fighter on the planet... I’m winning this fight no doubt in my mind.’ TV: LIVE on BT Sport Box Office (€24.95 pay per view).